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LBJ reports one, and a possible second COVID-19 related death

Dr. Akapusi Ledua
It’s the 64th day since the COVID-19 community spread was confirmed
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — LBJ Medical Center has recorded a new COVID-19 related death bringing American Samoa’s total cumulative mortality to 25, says LBJ’s acting chief of staff Dr. Akapusi Ledua, during yesterday’s COVID-19 Task Force virtual news conference.

Dr. Ledua summarized that the new fatality is a 73-year old male, who had two vaccination shots but also had co-morbidities. The deceased was admitted on Apr. 22 and passed away on Apr. 24.

The doctor also said that one other death is being reviewed to determine if it’s COVID-19 related and if it is confirmed, that will increase the number of fatalities relating to the deadly pandemic. (Samoa News will report tomorrow on other important issues during the LBJ presentation from the news conference.)

Also during the news conference, the Health Department provided the updated COVID-19 Situational Report, with 25 total COVID-19 related deaths as of Apr. 24, as reported by LBJ.

DoH clinic service acting director, Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao presented that on Apr. 24 some 104 individuals were tested and three of them came back with positive results and the trio is all fully vaccinated. None of the new positives required therapeutic treatment.

With the new cases American Samoa’s total cumulative has reached 5,744 since the outbreak on Feb. 22. There are 355 active cases.

For the Manu’a island group, Dr. Lauvao reports that there are still no community cases there and DoH is continuing to test in Manu’a. (Samoa News will report later in the week on other issues from the DoH presentation.)

Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale spoke at the start of the news conference, noting that yesterday marks the 64th day since American Samoa confirmed the COVID-19 community spread.

He pointed to DoH reports, which show that COVID has blanketed the entire island of Tutuila as well as Aunu’u. “And by the grace of God, the islands of Manu’a continue to be free of COVID,” he said and noted that since the community spread over 5,700 positive cases have been recorded and “sadly” more than 20 fatalities related to COVID have been reported.

“In addition, we have faced many restrictions and limitation to our freedoms. Our freedom to do as we wish — to go to church, to eat at restaurants, to take our children to schools. A lot of those restrictions have been difficult and tough for many of you in American Samoa,” he said — the news conference was also streamed live on the KVZK-TV Facebook page.

He said the governor and the COVID-19 Task Force “is well aware of these difficulties and we thank you for your patience and for your cooperation.

“Your sacrifice and commitment in these 64 days and by the grace of God in helping us with the omicron COVID response, has led us to this day.

“Has led us to witness the COVID spread continue to fall. Our positive numbers continue to fall, our vaccination numbers continue to rise,” he pointed out and explained that at its peak during the week of Mar. 21 to Mar. 27, the territory’s daily average was 240 positive cases.

And between Apr. 8 to Apr. 24, the daily average dropped to 16 positive cases, he said and noted that on Mar. 24, the territory recorded the highest daily count of 386 positives, and on Apr. 24, “we recorded only 3”.

“So there is no question, that our positive count continues to fall and the fatality rate at LBJ remains steady.

“This has happened because of your commitment and our sacrifices” by abiding with restrictions under the COVID declaration, get vaccinated, and stay home when tested positive, Talauega stated.

He recalled what Mark Young, with the U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency said at yesterday’s task force daily brief, earlier in the day, that “American Samoa is not out of the woods yet. We still have a lot to be careful for.”

The Lt. governor point out that there is another omicron variant “ravaging throughout” the U.S. and “we have to be continually mindful of these threats because we don’t want to return to another big surge and see many more of our people get sick, or worse, die from COVID.”

Talauega urged residents to be patient during these times of restrictions put in place to protect the community.

The Health Department chart shows the overall total of COVID-19 positive cases — as of Apr. 24  — and the numbers reported in the villages. Manu’a remains COVID free.