Samoa's first Covid-19 case tests negative in follow-up exam

Samoa’s first positive Covid-19 case has now tested negative in a follow-up test, according to a press statement from the Samoan Government.

The man was part of a group of 27 Samoan sailors who had been stationed on the Mediterranean Shipping Fleet in various parts of Europe and arrived with 274 other passengers on a repatriation flight from Auckland last Friday.

The man has now been tested three times. An initial test upon arrival at the Faleolo International Airport returned a negative.

The second test on Wednesday came back positive, marking Samoa’s first suspected case of Covid-19.

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However, a third test on Thursday morning has returned a negative result. All three tests were completed using a nasal swab.

Samoa’s Director General of Health, Leausa Take Naseri, said the man had been isolated with his roommate at a hospital in Apia, where police were standing guard.

“They have had no contact with anyone except for health officials”, Naseri said. “The young men are presently under observation and both will be tested again in 24 hours.”

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi is appealing for calm, as his country grapples with its first case of Covid-19.

The prime minister, who wore a mask during a live address to the nation on Thursday, noted the sailor went on to return a negative result early Thursday morning.

It was unclear whether the sailor had spent time in Auckland before boarding the flight to Samoa, or whether he used Auckland Airport as a transit point.

Cabinet was set to meet on Thursday afternoon to decide whether the case would force changes to Samoa’s state of emergency procedures.

The country has been in a state of emergency for nine months.

Another repatriation flight from North America, scheduled for November 27, will be reviewed by the Samoan Prime Minister and Cabinet.

In the meantime, Tuilaepa urged the public to continue washing their hands, sanitising material and to observe social distancing.

“We now have one case, and [Samoa] will also be added to the countries of the world that have the coronavirus,” Tuilaepa said.

Repatriation flights for returning Samoan residents out of Auckland are operated by Air New Zealand on behalf of the Samoan Government.

Tuilaepa said passengers on repatriation flights were required to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test before being allowed to board the plane.

To date, New Zealand has provided $6.6 million in foreign aid to Samoa to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 and bolster health sector preparations, including Personal Protective Equipment and medical supplies, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said.

New Zealand has also contributed $4m in funding to regional programmes which support Samoa’s preparedness and testing capacity.