Dr. Lauvao: “We’re over this outbreak”

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COVID numbers are at an all time low and according to the Director of Clinical Services at the Department of Health, Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao, the latest figures mean “We’re over this outbreak. All we need to do right now, is to monitor and to see if were going to have a future outbreak or if this is endemic, meaning it’s staying with us.”

A press release from the COVID-19 Task Force says, COVID cases were in the single digits in the past week, an all-time low since testing of residents and travelers started.

In the latest COVID report, 1,145 people got tested from Sept. 12-18 and only ​9 tested positive, while just one of them needed treatment. A week earlier, Sept. 5-11, 1,047 people were tested and 18 were positive.

As of Sept. 18th, American Samoa had a cumulative COVID case count of 8,244. Only
14 are considered active.

Task Force Chairman Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale said that while the territory’s borders are opening, they are being opened in a controlled manner considering COVID is still here and other health threats “are knowingly at our door.”

He said, the online travel portal, Talofa Pass, is still being used for the purpose of
recording and tracking travelers to American Samoa but not for blocking anyone out.

Other news from the meeting:

  • DOH will discontinue COVID-19 test requirement for transit passengers travelling
    from outside of the US and Samoa.
  • Transfer responsibility to Homeland Security regarding the monitoring of the Talofa
    Pass registration and travelers entering American Samoa.
  • The airport hangar quarantine facility will be available for paid accommodation for incoming travelers such as ASG visitors and local organizations.

Regarding the Lady Naomi, Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua announced that the Lady Naomi is now cleared to carry up to 200 passengers per sailing, an increase from 100.

This week Thursday was initially supposed to be the start of weekly sailings of the Lady
Naomi, however, Port Director Chris King reported that the sailing request was “last
minute” because Port had already scheduled other operations on this day.

He said, there was also a request for a Lady Naomi sailing on the Wednesday of White Sunday  week but the MV Manuatele is booked for operations on the inter-island dock that day.

King said, he’s asked the agent for the Samoa Government vessel to adjust their
schedule and use the Monday or Tuesday of White Sunday for the Lady Naomi — when the dock is open with no scheduled operations.