Today, all of the travelers in quarantine at the Tradewinds Hotel are being released.
Yesterday was the final COVID-19 testing day for those in the third repatriated group who arrived Wednesday of last week from Honolulu.
KHJ News received confirmation from the Dept. of Health (DOH) that the travelers were swabbed at the Tradewinds Hotel and the samples were delivered to the Tafuna Community Health Center for testing. It was late in the afternoon yesterday that the final samples were completed.
“All negative,” said a senior DOH official who declined to be named.
Social media posts by members of the quarantined group confirmed that the test results were all negative and that they would be released today.
In anticipation of their release, there were prayers, feasting and entertainment at the Tradewinds Hotel pavilion last night with lots of photos of the group.
The man who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus along with his wife and 3 kids will remain at the DOH Alternate Care Facility until their 14 days of quarantine is up.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Task Force says the 4th repatriation flight, which is scheduled for next month (May), is looking to bring home some 260 passengers. The passenger list is being finalized and the task force is contacting passengers this week.
The Ohana Waikiki East Hotel will again be the Honolulu quarantine site.
Payment for the repatriation flights can be made at the ASG Treasury or online on the government’s website americansamoa.gov
However, the payment form should be picked up from the Medicaid Office on the second floor of the ASTCA building in Tafuna. Relatives of those confirmed to be on the repatriation flight can visit the Medicaid Office or call tel:699-4777 for more details
