Maluafou College shut its doors and sent students home early on Thursday as a preventative measure against coronavirus. 

The decision was made by the school's management after they were informed that some Year 13 students had come in contact with the woman who is Samoa's first suspected case of COVID-19.

It was not possible to obtain a comment from School Principal, Lasi Tavae.

But students confirmed that they had been sent home at around 12pm and were told that the school has been cancelled for the rest of the week.

An official at the school, who wished to remain anonymous, said the school was informed that woman who is suspected to have COVID-19 celebrated her 21^st this month.

The birthday party was attended by some Maluafou College Year 13 students, the Samoa Observer was told.

The official was unsure how many of them attended the birthday party, although she could only say there were "many."

These students have been advised to stay home until the test result of the suspected coronavirus case returns, the official said.

The Samoa Observer was told that the school had just found out about the potential contact and acted quickly to disperse the students.

The Ministry of Health confirmed Samoa’s first suspected case of coronavirus on Wednesday evening. She flew in from Auckland, New Zealand, for a "family occasion."