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Samoa’s first positive case of Covid-19 has now tested negative in a follow-up test, according to a Samoa government press release.
The man was part of a group of 27 Samoan sailors who had been stationed with the Mediterranean Shipping Fleet in various parts of Europe and arrived with 274 other passengers on a repatriation flight from Auckland last Friday.
The man has now been tested three times. An initial test upon arrival at Faleolo International Airport yielded a negative result.
Wednesday’s second test came back positive, marking the first suspected case of Covid-19 in Samoa.
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However, a third test on Thursday morning came back negative.
All three tests were completed with a nasal swab.
Samoa’s chief health officer, Leausa Take Naseri, said the man has been isolated with his roommate at a hospital in Apia, where police are on duty.
“They have not had contact with anyone except the health officials,” Naseri said.
“The youngsters are currently under observation and both will be evaluated again in 24 hours,” he said.
Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi calls for calm as his country grapples with its first Covid-19 case.
The prime minister, who wore a mask during a live address to the nation on Thursday, noted that the sailor returned a negative result early Thursday morning.
It was unclear whether the sailor had spent time in Auckland before boarding the flight to Samoa, or whether he used Auckland airport as a transit point.
GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA
Samoa Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi speaks at a press conference Thursday, after the country registered its first case of Covid-19.
The cabinet will meet Thursday afternoon to decide whether the case will force changes to Samoa’s state of emergency procedures.
The country has been in a state of emergency for nine months.
Another repatriation flight from North America, scheduled for November 27, will be reviewed by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Samoa.
Meanwhile, Tuilaepa urged the public to continue washing their hands, sanitizing the material and observing social distancing.
“Now we have a case, and [Samoa] It will also join the countries of the world that have the coronavirus, ”said Tuilaepa.
Repatriation flights for Samoan residents returning outside of Auckland are operated by Air New Zealand on behalf of the Government of Samoa.
The airline declined to comment.
Tuilaepa said passengers on repatriation flights had to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test before they could board the plane.
The Samoan High Commissioner in Wellington was aware of media reports on the case at 9am on Thursday, but was still awaiting further details from the Government of Samoa.
