Still no evidence of Covid-19 community transmission

Source: Press Release

APIA, SAMOA – 27 JANUARY 2022: Despite the 27 people being isolated at the National Hospital as confirmed as Covid-19 positive, there is currently no evidence of a community transmission.

The latest Situational Report from NEOC this evening, 27 January 2022 confirmed that “as of this afternoon, all the 260 plus passengers and frontliners including the 27 cases tested positive for COVID19 are still  in controlled isolation and  remain asymptomatic, without any symptoms.”

The follow up PCR tests were scheduled for today as well.

“Apart from the confirmed positive cases, all other passengers and frontliners in quarantine have returned negative COVID 19 tests thus far.

“Currently there is no evidence of a community transmission.”

“Of the specimen sent to NZ for testing, 6 are omicron variant and 1 is delta variant as confirmed earlier. More tests results from NZ are being awaited.

During the extension of the lockdown from Monday evening, Upolu Island was divided in zones to get people used to staying within their zones in view of a community transmission breakout.

Savaii Island has already been isolated with the Samoa Shipping Corporation, allowing only cargo sailing yesterday, Wednesday 26th January, 2022 to transport cargo and goods and supplies. Passengers were banned.

RESPONSE AGENCIES.

Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections.

A young couple remains in police custody at the Tanumalala Prison for using a fake NEOC vehicle pass and after police found drugs and utensils inside their vehicle. Police said the couple is held for possession of drug utensils but there could be more charges after their investigation.

Police searched the car after realizing the couple were using a fake NEOC vehicle identification pass to get around during the lockdown.

The only people issued with such NEOC passes are essential workers.

Despite the rain yesterday, the rubbish collectors were allowed to do their work. PHOTO/Talamua Media

The vehicle passes are very simple and can easily be duplicated hence the Ministry of Health altering their passes to make it difficult for others to duplicate.

Police have been very stern in implementing the State of Emergency (SOE) orders in the last four days since the extended lockdown.

During the Lockdown, Police also issued:

• 12 Tickets issued since Saturday 22 January 2022
• 272 Warning issued since Saturday 22 January 2022

The Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority

• 105 Ambulance responses to date
• 13 in Savaii
• 92 in Upolu