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COVID related deaths now stand at 17

Dr. Akapusi Ledua
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On Saturday the Department of Health reported one new death related to COVID-19 and during yesterday’s COVID news conference update, 4 previously unreported deaths were added to the total.

LBJ acting chief of staff, Dr. Akapusi Ledua has confirmed that 4 previously unreported COVID related deaths have now been included in the statistics.

During the hospital’s presentation at yesterday’s COVID Task Force update televised live on KVZK Dr. Ledua said this updated report brings the total number of COVID related deaths to 17. (Read story elsewhere in this issue for details.)

Other highlights included that 7 previously closed businesses are now certified to reopen — they are all health and fitness or beauty related. In addition, the Manu’a Islands remain COVID free and testing is ongoing there, most recently for teachers and students on the island of Ta’u.

Questions from the media brought up the issue of overtime and hazard pay for nurses.  Dr. Ledua reported that nurses have been paid their back overtime and the question of hazard pay needs to be submitted to the CEO and then the board — and he is hoping this will be completed before the end of this week. 

As for equipment:

•           EMS needs assistance with ambulance fuel due to the surge in transports;

•           10 cardiac monitors have been ordered by FEMA on behalf of LBJ, and

•           3 each oxygen concentrators, cardiac monitors and pulse oximeters are being provided by Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation.