Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi says the test results from the suspected COVID-19 swabs taken from a sailor last Thursday have come back with the same results showing both negative and positive results. 

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Tuilaepa said the same results where the sailor tested both positive and negative came back, therefore blood samples will now have to be sent to New Zealand for further analysis. 

"The sailor on his left nostril tested positive and on his right one tested negative. Samoa will continue as normal with current restrictions imposed with faith in God,” he said. 

"We will send blood samples for testing in New Zealand and results will be attained by next week Monday."

The Prime Minister was accompanied at the press conference by the Ministry of Health [M.O.H.] Director General, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri and the National Emergency Operations Centre [N.E.O.C.] Interim Chairman Agafili Shem Leo.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the test results from New Zealand were the same as that done by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa [S.R.O.S.] last week.

Rumours that the Government “is hiding the results” were also quashed by Tuilaepa, who added that the Cabinet will also decide the fate of the November 28 repatriation flight from America.

"Cabinet will decide the fate for the repatriation flight from America on the 28th of November tomorrow whether to postpone or to continue." 

Leausa Dr. Take Naseri told the media that all the test kits used are from the World Health Organisation. 

When asked why they did not send blood tests before with nasal swabs, Leausa said it is to limit the spread of the virus.

The sailor who both tested positive and negative last week has been quarantined with his roommate at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital at Moto’otua since last week.