It could be 10 to 20 working days before Samoa knows whether or not it has its first case of Covid-19.
A government statement last night said an Aucklander has been placed in isolation at Apia’s Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, showing symptoms of the coronavirus.
They had been experiencing flu like symptoms for two days after flying to Samoa on March 11 for a family occasion.
It said samples had been sent to Melbourne for testing, but will take 10 to 20 working days to return.
It is not clear why it will take so long for test results to return.
Australia’s minister for the Pacific, Alex Hawke, said Covid-19 test results are usually returned to Pacific countries within three to four days.
The Samoa government is yet to respond to a request for clarification.
Meanwhile, Samoa’s government is urging anyone who is planning to go to the country to stay away, saying the risk to the country from Covid-19 is “very high.”
In a statement, the health ministry said “all those intending to travel to Samoa to attend birthdays, weddings, reunions, funerals, conferences, sports, etc to CANCEL their travel plans.”
Guam
The number of cases of coronavirus on Guam has grown to eight, with three people testing positive on Wednesday.
The governor, Lou Leon Guerrero, said all three confirmed cases remain in isolation.
The US territory now has the Pacific’s highest number of Covid-19 cases, with the region-wide total standing at 13 (Eight in Guam, two in New Caledonia, and three in French Polynesia).
The government yesterday imposed mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving on the island.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia’s government has confirmed the territory’s first two cases of Covid-19.
The government said last night two people who arrived from Australia on their honeymoon have tested positive for the coronavirus.
They arrived at Tontouta airport on board an Aircalin flight from Sydney on Tuesday.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia’s government has confirmed two additional cases of Covid-19, one in Tahiti and one in Moorea.
The president, Edouard Fritch, says one person brought the virus from mainland France, the other from the US.
This bring’s the territory’s number of cases to five.
