Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As predicted by the Health Department, the number of positive cases from the community spread of COVID-19 increased to double digits as residents gathered for the Christmas holiday, with the LBJ Medical Center — recording the highest numbers.

The previous DoH Situational Report for the week of Dec. 12 to Dec. 18 shows that of the 54 individuals tested at the DoH Laboratory and LBJ Medical Center, six of them returned positive — all recorded at LBJ. The report shows that 47 individuals were tested at the hospital.

Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua stated during the COVID-19 Task Force briefing on Dec. 20, that with the holidays, health officials were looking at an increase in positive cases, as families gathered for the holidays.

In the latest DoH Situational Report for the week of Dec. 19 to Dec. 25 a total of 58 individuals were tested and 13 of them were positive.  Of that total, 12 positives were recorded at LBJ, which tested 53 individuals. One positive was reported at DoH, which tested 5 people.

With the new positives, total cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 8,285 since the first community case was recorded on Feb. 28, while the number of active cases stands 15.

The DoH report also shows that COVID-19 related deaths remain at 34, which has been the case for the past several months, since the first death relating to the deadly virus was recorded in March 2022.

No information was included in the report as to whether any of the new positives had been vaccinated for COVID.