Local health authorities continue to monitor the Influenza-like illness (ILI) with close to 600 cases reported over the last six days.

However, the Ministry of Health's Syndromic Surveillance & COVID-19 Update issued on 31 July 2023 showed that the total number of cases continues to drop from the 5,000 cases that were recorded between April and May this year.

The report by the MOH stated that between 24 July and 30 July 2023, a total of 598 cases were reported, which was a drop of close to 100 cases with the week prior (17 July to 23 July 2023) recording 690 cases.

Despite the drop in ILI cases in Samoa, the Ministry has recommended that the general public continue the practice of preventative measures. These include the wearing of masks especially when coughing and runny nose, hand hygiene and avoiding large gatherings without masks. 

The second public health infection that the MOH is monitoring is Severe Acute Respiratory infection (SARI) with the report stating that seven (7) cases were recorded between 24 July and 30 July 2023. 

Cases of SARI incidences are also dropping with only 24 cases recorded in the prior week between 17 July and 23 July 2023. Nonetheless, the Ministry has called for the practice of preventative measures such as wearing face masks, hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places. 

There was also 1 confirmed case of COVID-19 recorded by the authorities over the last seven days with both the PCR and rapid antigen tests used. The cumulative number of COVID-19-related deaths since community transmission was detected on 17 March 2022 remains at 31.