Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Latest COVID count released by the Dept. of Health records 360 new positive cases over the 24 hours ending Wed. March 23. This brings the cumulative positive cases reported from February 21 to March 23 at 2,565, with 343 of them recovered. And the Dept. of Health is continuing to plead with people to get vaccinated, boosted and tested after the first COVID releated death was reported earlier this week.

There was 1 hospitalization Wednesday, and the number of patients in the COVID Ward was 7.

COVID vaccinations administered Wednesday stands 476, of which 417 were booster shots.

“As we deal with new situations in this COVID outbreak, we are asking the 14,000+ people who are due for a booster already to please come to our sites to get boosted. Especially if you have comorbidities.” The DoH website pleads and explains comorbidities as having more than one disease at the same time.

“And because there is so much diabetes, hypertension, gout, heart disease, etc.. in our island, we are urging you again to please come get your vaccine or booster, whichever you need, before COVID gets to you.

“If you already have COVID, and you didn’t get treatment because you didn’t have any symptoms, please wait until after your 14 days of isolation, then come in and get your vaccine.

“If you already have COVID, and you received treatment because you were treated for your symptoms, you can wait for 90 days to come get boosted.

“If you are still wandering around and have not gotten your booster, and COVID hasn’t gotten to you yet, “PLEASE come in and get boosted. Get it now so you can avoid suffering from severe illness, hospitalization, or even death.

“Let's all play a role in making American Samoa COVID safe!

“We can do this together,” the DoH exclaims.