The Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) has identified Faleata No. 4 and Vaimauga No. 4 districts as having the highest number of cases per 1,000 population as authorities record 156 new community cases in the last 24 hours. 

The two districts were identified in the latest Situational Report on the COVID-19 pandemic released by the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) just before 3.30pm on Wednesday.

Faleata No. 4 district comprises the villages of Safune, Saina, Puipa’a and Toamua while Vaimauga No. 4 district includes Leufisa, Moto’otua, Malifa, Leififi, Apia, Lalovaea, Aai Niue, Maluafou, Matafele, Vaimea, Palisi, Tamaligi, Tauese, Tufuiopa, Mulinuu, Fugalei, Savalalo, Saleufi, Sogi, Taufusi, Togafuafua, Aai o Fiti, Alamagoto, Mulivai and Tuloto.

According to the M.O.H. a total of 156 new cases were recorded in the community in the last 24-hours to bring the total number of community cases to 2,722 with 1,502 active cases. Authorities also reported 4 new positive cases at the border among passengers who arrived recently from New Zealand. 

The data on active cases means that 1,220 people who contracted the virus might have recovered and no longer returned positive tests.

“There are 17 cases currently in managed isolation at the Moto’otua National Hospital,’ the updated report stated.

“To date, 24,241 RATs have been administered by the Ministry of Health. The total number of COVID-19 deaths still remain at two (2).”

M.O.H. added the overall attack rate for Samoa is 10.7 noting Faleata no.4 and Vaimauga no.4 as recording the highest number of cases per 1,000 population.

In terms of vaccination, 97.2 percent of Samoa’s eligible population have received their first dose, 71.3 percent have received their second dose.

The Ministry also confirmed 40,182 people  aged 18 years and over have received their booster shots so far.

Compared to data released on Tuesday there were 123 new cases – which indicates a gradual surge in the number of community cases by a day.

Community cases by Age Group 

The number of children 4 years and younger has also jumped from 159 on Tuesday to 170 on Wednesday.

The pattern is consistent throughout other age groups with elderly 65 and over recording 21 new cases since the last 24 hours with current total standing at 165.

Vaccination update

• This story was updated at 4.55pm Wednesday 6 April 2022 after the Government's Press Secretariat advised that the 160 new cases reported earlier was actually 156 new community cases and 4 new border related cases.