There were 72 new positive cases of COVID recorded in the week of June 13th-19th. There were 3,150 tests conducted in this period.
This brings the total number of positive cases, since the first community case was recorded on February 21st, to 6,353. According to the Dept. of Health, 102 cases remain active while 6,251 have recovered. The number of deaths remain at 31.
Staff at the testing site at Tafuna said that there seems to be a spike in cases after graduation ceremonies, parties and other events and people being lax in wearing masks.
The number of COVID cases in Manu’a is 80, of which one remains active.
The vaccination rate hasn’t changed, still at 84.8% fully vaccinated and 89% with just one dose.
At the COVID-19 Task Force weekly meeting yesterday, there was discussion on lifting of some of the restrictions that are now in effect under the emergency declaration for COVID.
Information will be made public once a decision is made on future changes.
A few weeks ago, the Chairman of the COVID-19 Task Force, Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale, had announced that flights will be added on the inter-Samoa route which had two flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
A Samoa Airways spokesman in Apia told KHJ News that they’ve added a 3rd flight on Wednesday and Friday. Another change, which the chairman announced at the same time, was that the Samoa Airways aircraft,A which was based locally to service Manu’a, will no longer be required to remain here.
A Twin Otter, pilots and mechanics have been based here on a rotating basis since 2020 but this past weekend, the plane and personnel departed the territory. Manu’a flights will continue as in the past originating from Faleolo, Pago Pago then to Ta’u and back.
