Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — DOE has announced that ALL schools will be closed from Apr. 24 to May 12, 2023.

According to an email Samoa News obtained Sunday, late afternoon, DOE leaders are being asked to “inform and work with respective school administrators and execute the virtual learning plan.

“An announcement will be forthcoming to share the Declaration of Public Health Emergency,” the email states.

It further notes that “all school and division/ office staff” will continue to report to work at their respective sites, while taking safety precautions such as face masks, social distancing and sanitizing at all times.

“All school events and activities are suspended until further notice.”

The School Lunch Program (SLP) will continue to prepare student meals for distribution as DOE did during the COVID shutdown.

School buses or transportation is on hold until further notice, but bus drivers will assist with meal distribution.

Further arrangements will be made to coordinate the shutdown of the schools, with an emergency meeting to be held today at 8a.m. in the DOE Conference Room.

DOH ENCOURAGES MEASLES VACCINATION

In a Department of Health memorandum dated Apr. 21, 2023, Director Motusa T. Nua announced that the measles vaccine is available at your nearest health clinic — with all Community Health Centers open to administer the vaccines “to anyone who needs to be vaccinated.”

The CHCs were open on Saturday, Apr. 22.

The memo recommended that babies, during a measles outbreak — which was announced by the DoH (one case was confirmed) last week — receive a “measles vaccine as early as 6 months of age.”

It also outlines who should NOT receive a vaccine. They are:

Anyone experiencing a high fever and other serious illnesses — they should return for vaccination once they are well;

Anyone who has already been vaccinated in the past 4 weeks; and,

Pregnant women, who if not already vaccinated, should take “additional precautions to avoid getting the measles,” such as keeping away from people with measles, regularly sanitizing hands, wearing a face mask while in public and staying away from mass gatherings or crowds.

More information as it becomes available.