One person from Honolulu-to-Pago Pago flight remains Covid-19 positive
In American Samoa, the final Covid-19 test for six passengers on a flight from Honolulu has returned one positive.
The six people from the Hawaiian Airlines flight on January 6 had all tested positive during the first test.
Director of health Motusa Tuileama Nua said the positive passenger travelled by himself and has been moved to the isolation facility.
The other passengers from the January 6 flight have been released from quarantine.
Motusa said they hope to send off samples from the positive tests to the CDC-Honolulu.
He said they want to determine the variant of the latest positives, adding they suspect it's the fast spreading Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, earlier blood samples taken from positive Covid-19 tests at the border and sent overseas detected the Delta variant in the blood samples.
The samples were collected from September 13 2021, when Hawaiian Airlines started commercial flights from Honolulu to Pago Pago at the end of last November.
It was also when pre-departure quarantine in Honolulu had ended.
Samoa's opposition leader in hospital
Samoa's opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been admitted to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital in Apia suffering from fever and apparent body weakness.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Photo: Screengrab
Newsline Samoa reports Tuilaepa was admitted for general observation and rest on Thursday night.
Supporters said the 76-year-old veteran politician has not slowed down since losing the 2021 General Elections and was even working throughout the holiday season.
Tonga's government updates repatriation protocol
Tonga is lifting a restriction to allow the repatriation of over 300 passengers from New Zealand and Vanuatu next week.
The new Minister for Health, Saia Piukala, said the change is repatriating from countries with Covid-19 in the community.
He said there are family overseas who are wondering when they will get to back to Tonga as it's been almost two years since Covid-19.
Matangi Tonga online reports Dr Piukala said the government has agreed for the repatriation flight from New Zealand next Thursday (20 January.)
He said while there are new cases with the new variant Omicron there [NZ], he adds these cases were at the border or in quarantine facilities, which "will help to reduce the risk of Covid-19 getting into Tonga."
Another new protocol is that passengers must self-quarantine at home for one week before they travel, and passengers must be fully vaccinated against (with two doses) Covid-19 before they can be repatriated to Tonga.
Vanuatu suburb in capital Port Vila has a new Inter Island Council of Chiefs
The first Inter Island Council of Chiefs has been launched in a Port Vila suburb by Vanuatu's acting deputy prime minister Willie Kalo.
The Daily Post newspaper reports the announcement has been welcomed by the public of Port Vila as a "long overdue cry resolved" for the suburb of Manples.
Willie Kalo grew up in the area and congratulated the first ever Council - asking them to work hard to return peace, unity and safety into the area after launching the Council's by-laws.
An access road stretching about one kilometre wide through Manples has been labelled by police as a "hot spot for criminals" with pedestrians and drivers afraid to pass through the area for fear of being assaulted or asked for money.
Samoan police constable charged with obtaining by deception
A Samoan police constable has been charged with obtaining by deception over claims she took money for passports and police reports for those applying for the RSE scheme.
Its alleged that Sialele Mala Tapu also took payments from people who were subject to legal action for unpaid loans.
The charge was confirmed by Assistant Police Commissioner, Papalii Efo Moalele in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.
Papalii added that more charges will be filed in this case but the obtaining by deception is the hold charge.
Sialele is remanded out on bail, and is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court in February.