American Samoa's governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga is requesting for US President Donald Trump's consideration to declare American Samoa a major health disaster area for the Covid-19 pandemic.
The territorial government coronavirus task force chairman, Iulogologo Joseph Pereira said Lolo was hesitant to declare a Major Disaster Declaration as American Samoa does not have a confirmed case.
The Governor of American Samoa Lolo Moliga. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Monica Miller
However, Iulogologo said the Governor felt that given American Samoa's economic downturn, and all of the money the local government have spent on facilities to build the Coronavirus deterrent infrastructure system, American Samoa needs to access all federal public assistance.
He said that the governor is awaiting a response from the White House.
So far, all 29 suspected Covid-19 cases in American Samoa have come back negative.
American Samoa is the only US jurisdiction - a state or territory - without a confirmed Covid-19 case.