BREAKING NEWS: 10 Covid-19 positive cases from last nights flight from Australia

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 20 JANUARY 2022: Ten passengers who arrived in Samoa yesterday from Australia have been tested positive of Covid-19.

This was confirmed in parliament this afternoon by the Minister of Health, Valasi Toogamaga Tafito after the 10 positive cases was raised by MP Lea’ana Posini.

He said the National Emergency Operations Center is working on a special report regarding this and all are in quarantine.

Valasi advised the public not to panic.

The 10 passengers were amongst seventy-three passengers who were repatriated from Australia.

Concerned members of the public have been asking for confirmation.

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce have circulated a letter to inform its members saying “all of the affected passengers have been brought to the hospital for isolation with the concern that majority of the affected are most likely to be Omicron variant.

“The Secretariat is awaiting outcome of briefing of special meeting between NEOC Chairman and the Prime Minister on Covid-19 cases that arrived yesterday from Australia on the repatriation flight,” wrote the CEO, Lemauga Hobart Vaai.

NEOC has called a press conference this afternoon to inform the public on this development.