Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With the global threat of coronavirus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday declared as “pandemic”, the local Health Department has further increased its public awareness campaign explaining ways to prevent the spread of the virus that has no cure or vaccine.

During his conference call from Honolulu on Sunday afternoon at the cabinet briefing on the COVID-19, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said it’s important to “focus on” preparations in the territory to prevent the spread of the virus and recommended that DoH and other ASG agencies expand their proper hygiene awareness campaign, which includes telling the public about the importance of cleanliness.

He said Mufi Hannemann, the ASG consultant in Washington D.C. and the ASG Hawai’i Office will work on securing necessary supplies — such as hand sanitizer and cleaning chemicals — to assist with sanitizing and cleaning of public schools and public areas at the airport.

He suggested that the Airport Division work with the Pago Pago International Airport’s janitorial service contractor to sanitize airport areas. Additionally, for DoH and Education Department to keep schools sanitized and cleaned as well as hand sanitizes for all classrooms.

Airport officials say the contractor, Nana’s company,  along with airport staff have been doing this since the measles outbreak late last year and continue this practice during the COVID-19 threat. The airport has also designated a supervisor to oversee this practice, which includes sanitizing arrival the area — immigration and customs.

At public schools, DoH is working with school principals on keeping schools clean as well as informing students on proper hygiene.

During the cabinet briefing, Lolo also suggested that KVZK-TV stop filming and airing other programs but concentrate on advisories from the DoH and the ASG Coronavirus Task Force for airing on television.

And when on TV, Lolo said the officials from these ASG entities are to explain to the public the importance of healthy living, cleanliness and ways to protect a person from the spread of the virus.

Even before the governor’s suggestion, DoH had already carried out public awareness programs on TV, radio, print media and social media. In the past several days, DoH has boosted these programs, with more details — based on guidelines endorsed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — which has also posted updates on personal hygiene on its website (www.cdc.gov).

CDC also released guidance from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, chaired by US Vice President Mike Pence, on “keeping the workplace safe” and what employers should encourage their employees to do — such as practicing good hygiene including “stop handshaking”, “use other non-contact methods of greeting”; use video conferencing for meetings when possible instead of meeting in person or traveling to the meeting site; and stay home, if “they are feeling sick” or “they have a sick family member in their home.”

The White House guidelines also cover practices of “keeping the school safe” and “keeping the home safe”.

At the Sunday briefing Lolo also suggested that DoH — on their TV programs — recommend to senior citizens that unless it’s necessary, for them not to travel off island at this time.

According to the CDC, the “high risk” population is older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like, heart diseases, diabetes and lung disease.

As of yesterday morning, the CDC reports total COVID-19 cases of 938 reported by 38 states and Washington D.C. with a total of 29 deaths in the US. Globally, as of yesterday morning local time, there are more than 125,000 cases with more than 67,000 people who have recovered. Additionally, there are 4,607 deaths worldwide.

Editor's note: This morning American Samoa time March 12, 2020, 17:12 GMT), www.worldmeters.info reported 1,394 total COVID-19 cases in the U.S. with 39 deaths. Globally they report 132,993 cases with 68,891 recovered and 4,946 deaths.