Parliament Pays Tribute to the 29 Victims of COVID-19

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 29 JUNE 2022: Parliament yesterday paid tribute to the 29 Samoans who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The Speaker, Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u called for the members to be upstanding in a minute of silence after the Minister of Health gave the latest COVID-19 update.

The Health Minister, Valasi Togamaga Tafito Selesele informed Parliament that 29 have lost their lives so far, the youngest a 1 year old baby who was not eligible to be vaccinated. The majority of those who died are between 60 and 90 years old and most have known comorbidities.

Since the first community case in 17 March 2022, the Ministry of Health has recorded over 14,900 cases.

The Speaker Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u acknowledged the Ministers update and said the Members feel the pain of the families affected and with the update of COVID-19 deaths relayed to Parliament, he called for a minute of silence to honour those who died.

As Samoa remains on Alert Level One, the country is moving to open its borders on 01 August and this relies on the strength of its vaccination coverage.

COVID-19 Vaccination Update
18 years and above age group

• First dose – 99% (122,193)
• Second dose 93.5% (114,006)
• The target for this age group 121,891

12 to 17 years old age group

• First dose 99% (200,374)
• Second dose 92% (25,710)

5 to 11 years old age group

• First dose 98.8% (40,141)
• Second dose 90.6% (36,819)
• The target for this age group was 40,438.

Boosters – 76, 591 those covered, 40 for the second booster

CT Scanner installed & operational
The Minister also gave an update on the Computerised Tomography (CT) Scanner. He confirmed that the long awaited CT Scanner was now installed and in operation.

Valasi said the Ministry is awaiting the arrival of a specialist from the Philippines to train the staff on how to operate the machine.

Samoa has been without a CT scanner for two years and patients were sent to American Samoa or New Zealand for tests.

Valasi acknowledged the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) for funding the much needed piece of equipment for the Ministry.