Public Concern as COVID-19 Uncertainty Hits Samoa

Samoa’s state of emergency, issued nine months ago, has been extended to December 23 after the country recorded its first positive test for COVID-19. Public concern and uncertainty swept across the country following Thursday’s announcement by the government.

The man was among 26 sailors who arrived in Apia last Friday on a repatriation flight from Auckland with more than 250 others.

The Government said he was stationed in Europe, adding all the sailors were tested for coronavirus upon arrival at Faleolo Airport. An initial test at the airport returned a negative result for the coronavirus.

But the second test on Wednesday came back positive, making him Samoa’s first suspected case for the virus. However, a third test on Thursday returned a negative result.

PM CALLS FOR CALM

Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi called for calm and urged people to keep faith and wear masks. He also urged the public to continue to follow the advice of authorities and government officials. He said Samoa had been preparing to deal with incidents of this nature.

Many Samoans were heeding their leaders’ call, with people seen with masks around Apia. But they were also nervous. RNZ Pacific correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said while there had been calls for calm, people were not taking any chances.

“There is panic among the general public following the announcement by the Prime Minister,” he said. “Few schools around Apia have closed and children have been taken home by their families.”

A LESSON FROM MEASLES

Since the measles outbreak last year, the Government said it had been preparing the necessary resources and personnel to deal with any health crisis.

The measles epidemic killed 83 people, most of them children. Autagavaia said it was a good lesson for Samoans on “how we are able to deal with COVID after the measles pandemic last year”.

Ms Parkinson said during the measles crisis, she had kept her children at home and she intended to do the same now.

“My children are at home and I’m not taking them back until further notice,” she said.

“They have computers and TV at home. I don’t allow them to go out.

“It’s the same thing that happened during the measles outbreak last year.”

New Zealand’s Health Ministry has been in contact with their counterparts in Apia. Samoan health officials intend to conduct more testing of the sailor. They are now looking into the man’s movements through New Zealand prior to his arrival in Samoa. The Government said it was working closely with New Zealand and Australia to ensure medical supplies, health facilities and personnel were available should there be a COVID-19 outbreak in the community.

PM Tuila’epa assured the country that despite yesterday’s negative test result, relevant Government officials remained vigilant with their preventative and COVID-19 pandemic response.

“It’s all systems go for the Government’s COVID preparedness and response plan. All the necessary health measures are enforced to eliminate any possible danger to our country,” said Tuilaepa.