Samoa’s COVID-19 death toll has increased to 16 with local health authorities also reporting community cases surging past the 8,000 mark.

A Situational Report on the COVID-19 Pandemic released by the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) on Tuesday, which covered the period from 2pm Sunday 17 April to 2pm Sunday 24 April, reported confirmed cases of coronavirus in the community over the last seven days at 2,214 with the total community cases as at 2pm Sunday 24 April to be 8,280.

"Majority of community cases are confirmed in Upolu at 7,536 cases with 736 cases in Savai’i and 8 cases in Manono Tai," the report reads. 

The M.O.H. also confirmed and recorded three new COVID-19 related deaths within the reporting period to bring Samoa's death toll since last month to 16. 

"The public is advised that information about the deceased will remain confidential out of respect for the family."

A total of 191 people have also been admitted to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital since the detection of Samoa’s first community transmission with 145 patients discharged after their recovery. 

There are currently 24 patients at the T.T.M. with 20 patients in the isolation ward and four (4) at the Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U.).

According to a graph provided by M.O.H. the age group with the highest number of positive cases in Samoa are those in the 25-29 age group with a total of 965 positive cases. 

It also shows an increase in the number of Samoa's elderly population who are 65 years and over with a total of 700 people who have been confirmed to have contracted the virus. 

For babies under the age of 4 years the number has increased to 627. 

According to the data provided by M.O.H. the majority of those who have tested positive in Samoa are female, with a total of 4,682 while the remaining 3,598 are male. 

"Members of the public are reminded to remain vigilant and adhere to public health advice to wear face masks, maintain 2 meter social distance in public places and ensure safe personal hygiene at all times,” the report reads. 

"Those who are feeling unwell are strongly advised to stay home and isolate to keep your families and loved ones safe, please ensure eligible members of the household are vaccinated at the earliest possible.  

"Vaccination remains our best defence against COVID-19.”

The report also shows that a total of 59,708 rapid antigen testings (R.A.T.) have been administered thus far nationwide. 

The COVID-19 vaccination update as of 24 April shows that 95.5 per cent of children aged 5-11 years have completed their first dose, while those aged 18 and over as well as children in the 12-17 years age bracket have all received their first dose. 

For the second dose, a total of 92.3  per cent have already been covered for people aged 18 and over, 85.5 per cent of those aged 12-17 and 48.7 per cent of children aged 5-11 years. As for the booster shot, those 18 years of age and over who received their booster shot currently stands at 67,244.