(GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT, 22nd January 2022, Samoa)- Director General of Health Leausa Samau Dr. Take Naseri’s primary mission is to contain the COVID19 virus at the quarantine phase where the 15 confirmed COVID19 cases are isolated.
They are under 24 hour watch in the Isolation Wing at the Moto’otua National Hospital while the remaining 4 from 9 passengers who had close contact with the initial positive cases are quarantined at the Faleolo Health District.
“Family members who travelled together with them are also under special attention while isolated at their respective quarters and locations,” said Leausa at a Press Conference this afternoon after the Prime Minister announced a Cabinet approved nationwide 48-hour lockdown as of 6:00pm Saturday 22nd January 2022 until 6:00pm Monday 22nd January 2022.
The additional 5 cases tested positive Friday are from the 9 passengers who had close contact with the initial 10 confirmed cases. They include the mother of the three children, (11 months old toddler, 3 year and 5 years old) and 4 others. The mother tested positive after her second SWAP tests since arriving from Brisbane Australia Wednesday.
Without the additional confirmed COVID19 infected cases, Leausa is also not ruling the possibility of more transmission of the virus among the 73 passengers.
And to eliminate any chances of a community outbreak “internal strict containment during quarantine and isolation of the passengers from the community to maintain the national security of the country is a must,” says the Director General.
To that effect, the 21 day Quarantine Mandate for returning residents is still in force but Leausa says that the confirmed cases will need to have three consecutive negative results during their isolation before authorized to go home.
PRECAUTIONARY MANDATES
Leaving no room for errors, all the 250 plus frontline workers on duty at the airport including health, airport, customs, immigration, quarantine public servants have been recalled and place under isolation for the next 21 days. They are not under any circumstance have any contact with their families or the public whatsoever, the Health Director revealed. “This decision is made for the country and their respective family’s interest,” he added
And Health staffs isolated are only authorized to leave their Camp inside the Moto’otua National Hospital to carry out follow up checkup duties on the 15 confirmed cases. The rest of the public servants will remain isolated at their quarters.
In the best interest of the country and her 200 plus residents Leausa is also calling on hotel management and staff to self-isolate at their place of employment and SWAP tests are readily available.
“We must contain any transmission of the virus inside quarantine for the country’s sake,” reiterated the Director General of Health.
