The Department of Health is still waiting for paperwork to send off a specimen from the territory’s first positive coronavirus case for testing in Honolulu.
The test is needed to determine what type of strain the traveler contracted.
The Acting Clinical Director of DOH, Dr ELizabeth Lauvao, had said at a press conference Friday that DOH hoped to send off the sample this past weekend.
However as of today the sample had not been dispatched.
Chief Epidemiologist at DOH Dr Aifili John Tufa said the paperwork is needed because this is a specimen of an infectious disease.
While earlier reports said the paperwork is to come from the US Centers for Disease Control, it’s been revealed that the awaited documentation comes from US Customs.
Dr Tufa they made the request as soon as the positive test was confirmed, which was on September 16 but as of today they are still waiting for the paperwork. It’s understood that the process takes time.
The Samoa Government has suspended flights by Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways to and from American Samoa until the coronavirus strain from the traveler who tested positive is known.
A cabinet minister in Samoa has told KHJ News the National Emergency Operations Center is to make a recommendation on flights to American Samoa at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
Two travelers from the Hawaiian Airlines flight of September 27 also tested positive for coronavirus.
