Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — During last week's COVID-19 Task Force virtual news conference, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale acknowledged and expressed gratitude to U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiologist, Dr. Thane Hancock for his assistance and support for American Samoa’s response to the COVID community surge.

Dr. Hancock was among the first members of the federal team deployed to the territory the first week of March after the surge in COVID-19 cases on Tutuila began in late February. He has been providing various medical support and analysis to both LBJ Medical Center and the Health Department.

He returned to the U.S weeks later, but continued his service by providing virtual epidemiological assistance and helping complete the territorial mortality analysis of COVID-19 related deaths, with LBJ Medical Center. Dr. Hancock also provided support for vaccination tracking and vaccine data analysis.

Allison Pfaendler, who is the lead of the U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) on island, said at Monday’s news conference that Dr. Hancock would be transitioning off virtual deployment as of yesterday May 19, while the federal team on the ground  here will continue to provide ongoing support for ASG.

Talauega, who is also the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR),  “acknowledged and expressed gratitude to Dr. Thane Hancock, who has been instrumental with our program in American Samoa in assisting at all levels of our medical team from DoH to LBJ.”

To Dr. Hancock, who participated in all virtual news conference from the U.S, Talauega said, “You’ve been a great resource and comfort to help us understand and interpret the numbers as we see [them] coming through each day of our surge. You were here at the beginning and you continued your service to our people, even while you’re off island.”

“So, I thank you very much and we wish you, the best in your new mission as you transition out of your work [for] American Samoa. Please know we greatly appreciate your help and your assistance,” Talauega informed Dr. Hancock, who has also provided medical assistance to other U.S Pacific territories and the Freely Associated States during their COVID surges.