The Samoa government says a male passenger who arrived from the USA on Friday has tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival, and tested positive again last night.
In a statement, the passenger arrived in Samoa with his Mother on repatriation flight NZ990, which transited through New Zealand on Wednesday for 26 hours before leaving for Samoa on Friday.
Samoa Health Director Leausa Dr Take Naseri said the returnee is asymptomatic and in good health.
He said the mother of the passenger tested negative on arrival; has no symptoms and is being closely monitored at the quarantine site.
She was re-tested today (13th February) and today's results were negative.
"All infection, prevention and control protocols have been strictly followed by the health workers, response teams and staff at the Airport, Quarantine sites and Isolation units,' Dr Naseri said.
Samoa Health Director Leausa Dr Take Naseri Photo: Samoa govt
They will however, be tested again on Monday 15th February 2021.
At this time, seven other passengers are being closely monitored as tests have revealed that five have tested positive and are historical cases; and two are false positives.
Six of these passengers travelled from Australia and one from Sudan. They have all been retested and the results received later today are all negative.
Fifty passengers on repatriation flight NZ990 on January 22 2021, travelled from high-risk countries outside of New Zealand, such as Australia, USA, United Kingdom, India, Nigeria and South Africa have tested negative on arrival and routine testing will continue as per protocol.
Tests are first conducted on arrival, and then day five and on day 14, and finally on day 21 of quarantine. Passengers are also screened daily for symptoms.
Dr Naseri said the public is, however, asked to implement and follow all prevention guidance that has been shared previously, and to check Samoa's Ministry of Health website.
The main route of transmission remains through close contact with the droplets from an infected person, and touching your face after touching surfaces contaminated with infected droplets.
"Please wear your mask, stay away from large crowds, maintain a distance of at least two metres from other persons, stay home if you are ill and call the Covid-119 Hotline for advice."
"People should cover your coughs and sneezes, do not touch your face, and clean your hands regularly with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer," Dr Naseri.