The Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) in Samoa has reported 449 new community cases to increase the confirmed number of community cases to 10,583.

A M.O.H. Situational Report on COVID-19 in Samoa, which was released Sunday 9pm and covered the 2pm Monday 2 May to 2pm Wednesday 4 May 2022 period, stated that 449 new community cases were recorded over that period to push the total number of community cases in the country to 10,583.

The report also said that there were 10 patients in managed isolation at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital Moto’otua.

“The public is hereby advised to please remain vigilant and take heed of health precautions and restrictions such as wearing face masks, maintaining social distance in public places, and ensure personal hygiene at all times,” says the Situational Report. “Those who are feeling unwell are strongly advised to stay home and isolate to keep your families and loved ones safe. 

“A kind reminder, please get vaccinated as vaccination remains the best defence against COVID-19 pandemic.”

In terms of border surveillance, the number of cumulative COVID-19 positive cases detected at the port of entry since November 2020 for the reporting period stands at 76. These include 4 positive cases detected on the NZ990 flight on 24 April 2022 and 1 positive case on the QF333 flight on 27 April 2022. No cases were detected at the Matautu wharf.

In terms of COVID-19 hospital admissions at the TTM in Moto'otua, since the first community case was detected on 17 March 2022, the national hospital has recorded a total of 220 admissions. A total of 185 COVID-19 cases at the TTM have also been discharged and released to their homes after recovering from COVID-19.

The authorities have not recorded any deaths between the reporting period with the cumulative mortality rate for the country currently standing at 20. 

In a footnote at the end of the report distributed by the Government’s Press Secretariat, the Ministry emphasised that the death count for COVID-19 could be subject to change after it undergoes full verification of all reported deaths from all health facilities.

The Ministry has also recorded 17,2022 rapid antigen tests (RATs) being administered for the target population.