Covid 19 coronavirus: Reverend returning from Samoa dies in controlled isolation

The Reverend Samata Iusitini Leiloa’s family mourns his sudden death while he was in a state of isolation at the Millennium Hotel in Auckland Central.

His was the first death while someone was conducting mandatory 14-day isolation or administered quarantine, after arriving from abroad.

Leiloa, a New Zealand citizen, died unexpectedly on Monday after returning from Samoa on Christmas Day.

The 63-year-old man died of natural causes and his death had been referred to a coroner, said Tauanu’u family spokesman Nick Bakulich.

Leiloa earned her degree from Malua Theological College. He is survived by his wife, brother, three sisters, and a large extended family.

Hundreds of people posted messages of support for the family on Bakulich’s Facebook page.

One person described him as a “jovial soul and a character always remembered.” Another said they would miss “his messages of encouragement and sense of humor.”

One person said they were on the same flight to New Zealand and that he was fine at the time.

Managed Isolation and Quarantine Deputy Chief Andrew Milne said the death was not related to Covid.

“[We are] I am saddened to confirm that a 63-year-old man, who came from the Pacific and is staying at the Grand Millennium Auckland, has sadly passed away.

“The returnee showed no symptoms related to Covid-19 during his previous daily health checks.”

Samoa does not have Covid transmission within the community.

Official advice given in a 135-page framework of operations for managed quarantine and isolation facilities, when it comes to an unexpected death, shows the heartbreaking reality for those involved.

If the person stayed with other people in the same room, those people would be moved to a different room immediately after death.

Authorities have not said whether the man who died yesterday had been isolating himself with someone else.

The document also reveals that every unexpected death in a quarantine facility should be treated as a Covid-related death, even if the death appears to be unrelated to the virus.

“Staff must wear (personal protective equipment) and the body and room must be treated as if the person had been infected with Covid-19 prior to death.”