A woman who arrived on a FEMA flight Friday afternoon was returned on the same flight.
The reason why she was refused entry to the territory was because she tested positive for coronavirus several weeks ago.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua says the woman, a FEMA contractor from Florida, tested positive for coronavirus on June 15. He said it appeared that the woman was never sick and there was no record of her being seen by a physician.
Before she traveled to the territory however she had another COVID-19 test which was negative.
The woman traveled with two other persons on the FEMA flight, Representative Faimealelei Anthony Allen and his wife.
The three passengers presented negative COVID-19 tests , which is the DOH requirement, disembarked and went through the processing off arrivals by DOH staff at the airport, headed by Dr. Adip.
It was during the DOH checks that the woman’s positive COVID-19 test on June 15 was discovered.
The Health Director said three physicians made the decision to send the woman back on the FEMA flight. She was not given another COVID-19 test here.
“We did not want to take any chances for a possible exposure of our people to a possible carrier of coronavirus, and the three physicians made the decision to return the woman,” said Motusa.
Rep Faimealelei and his wife who traveled with the FEMA rep on the flight from Honolulu were taken for quarantine at the Tradewinds Hotel, which is where military FEMA and other federal personnel have been quarantined since the borders with Hawaii were closed.
Also taken for quarantine at the hotel was the head of the ground handling company which services the FEMA flights. Motusa says this is because he had gone on board the plane several times.
A representative of the company says their boss has always boarded the FEMA flights to have papers signed and this was the first time that DOH has ever said they are not allowed to go on board.
The representative took issue with DOH’s handling of the situation and hopes that by highlighting the flaws as he saw it, some improvements will be made.
He said only Dr. Adip was in full protective gown and head gear while other DOH employees who were in close proximity to the woman were not in protective clothing.
And this was the same for the fuel crew and other ground handling staff. He believed all those who were exposed to the woman should have been taken in for quarantine.
The company rep also said that there was no wipe down or disinfection of the Air Force C-37 aircraft before it departed. On board the flight with the FEMA agent were ten passengers including military personnel, students and federal government employees.
Asked about this , Health Director Motusa said departments and agencies have clear cut responsibilities and while DOH is doing its part he expects others to do theirs.
A spokesman for FEMA, David Passey, responding to KHJ News questions said FEMA understands American Samoa’s goal to remain free of COVID-19, and federal responders will continue to support efforts to test, monitor and ensure health care capacity can address COVID needs that may arise.
“We comply with all American Samoa requirements for incoming individuals and will work with authorities to understand rules if they change,” said Passey.
He stated that a FEMA disaster specialist arrived in Pago Pago with a very recent negative COVID-19 test result.
“The individual, who traveled from the U.S. mainland through Hawaii and on to American Samoa, tested positive weeks ago but was never ill. We understood the recent negative test would allow her entry and she was ready to support the federal emergency management mission.”
Passey assured, “We will ensure all federal responders assigned to travel to American Samoa are aware of any updated requirements to allow entry.”
