At a Senate hearing earlier this week with Department of Health and LBJ Hospital officials concerns about the Covid testing in Honolulu were raised.
Senator Magalei Logovii related that a woman in quarantine had called him the day before to express concerns about the testing for travelers to American Samoa by a company in Honolulu. He said the Covid swab is not conducted by staff but by travelers themselves.
According to the woman, some people don’t even swab their noses but just pretend to do so. In addition there’s no social distancing.
The Ituau Senator then asked for a explanation on the difference in test results from Honolulu and the tests done locally.
Responding, DOH Chief Epidemiologist,Dr Aifili John Tufa explained that the equipment that the Honolulu company, Capture Diagnostics, uses is different from the equipment DOH uses, which is a lot more sensitive.
In the case of historical positives, or those who had Covid before, he said the local equipment can pick up even when the viral load in a person is very low.
“The equipment used in the Covid testing in Honolulu does not have this capability,” Dr Tufa revealed.
He said this is why it’s important for travelers who had Covid before to make it known. This information helps them deferential between a historical case or a new infection.
Senator Magalei asked what is being done to those who didn’t declare they had Covid before.
Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua responded that the names of those travelers will be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for possible orosecution.
Magalei suggested that there should be a penalty or the referral would not do any good. He pointed to Samoa’ where a violation of State of Emergency orders carries a $2000 tala fine.
Overall, senators expressed their appreciation to the health officials for keeping the virus out of the community and urged them to be bold and do what is necessary for the public’s protection.
