Concerns over rising number of Police Officers testing positive

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 25 MARCH 2022: The number of police officers who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus has reached 27 as of this morning.

Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Au’apa’au Logoitino Filipo confirmed that 4 were recorded on Monday, 17 yesterday and the number increased to 27 this morning.

The cases are recorded from various outposts including the Tanumalala prison and the main headquarters in Apia.

There is a concern that if more police officers are infected, it would be difficult to provide services especially executing the State of Emergency orders and keeping order in the country.

‘Au’apa’au said they have secured a place to isolate the positive cases, but there are others who wanted to be isolated at home and who have also tested positive.

He said that the police shifts have been reduced from 12 to 8 hours and instead of officers going home, they remain in camp.

‘Au’apa’au said the police have a contingency plan should assistance be needed as they had done during some major national events in the past.

The latest update recorded 126 new community cases yesterday bringing the number of positive cases to 748.

There are 726 cases in Upolu and 22 in Savaii.