Looking back at 2022 — American Samoa's COVID-19 journey
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Each of us has a story to tell about what was important in our life this past year. But the event we all have in common is COVID-19. This year Samoa News is looking back at the pandemic and how it changed our lives keeping us further apart with social distancing while drawing us closer together as we experienced either personally or through loved ones — living life ‘on the rock’ with COVID in 2022.
Hands down — American Samoa’s top news story for 2022 was undoubtedly the arrival of community spread Feb. 21, 2022 — it changed everything as we knew it in the territory.
In 2022, COVID was touted as the pandemic of the unvaccinated and as we head into 2023 it’s now being termed the pandemic of the elderly. Here are the headlines that got us to where we are today.
JANUARY
Territory counts 18 imported COVID cases — still no community spread
DoH: 76.9% of eligible population is fully vaccinated
Samoa extends lockdown after frontline workers test positive
ASG’s 9 repat flights brought home 1839 residents costing $20+ million
OSHA “strongly encourages” vaccination of workers
FEBRUARY
Dr. Tufa questioned about the possibility of community spread
Full vax for ages 5 and older now required for entry into the territory
LBJ assures Senators they have a COVID response-plan in place
The Elephant in the Room: COVID-19 is here to stay
Enough is enough,” Mauga declares about unruly quarantine travelers
Am Samoa under CODE RED — DoH reports COVID community spread
Essential services only permitted during Code Red declaration
Health Dept. reveals little about staffer who tested positive for COVID
Schools now operating under Remote Learning Plan
Emergency flights only authorized for Manu’a
200+ from Feb. 17 flight are currently in quarantine
Amata: “We can walk this path together, under the watchful eyes of God”
Instances of alleged price gouging multiply across the territory
Governor extends Code Red another week to retard COVID spread
ASG working to return local residents stranded in Samoa
MARCH
Positive COVID cases stand at 85 — reported from in 15 villages
Gov calls for vaccination updates from agencies and departments
Surge in vaccinations depletes vax supply, new shipment Friday
People refusing to wear face-masks present problems for retailers
Governor confirms Code Red in effect for another week — until March 8
Hordes of people descend on vax sites to get their booster shot
FEMA and other federal officials expected on charter flight today
Task Force focus is now to “help us live safely with COVID”
Four people hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms
Operating hours for essential businesses extended to 6p.m.
Local pro-vaxers and anti-vaxers dig in to their positions
COVID puts the Flag Day celebration in doubt
CDC praises American Samoan people’s COVID response — so far
COVID continues community spread with two at StarKist testing positive
Essential businesses may now be open to the public up to 8p.m.
Samoa going into lockdown after community transmission confirmed
TALOFAPASS system a “waste of money and time” according to one faipule
Supervised quarantine back on for travelers on next Hawaiian Air flight
Inmates say COVID is circulating in TCF but no treatment is provided
Predictions assess COVID surge will peak late March to early April
Gov Lemanu announces first COVID death in the territory
DOH provides protocols for at home COVID test kits
Dept. of Health reports second COVID-related death
COVID cases spread to Juvenile Detention Center – 4 youth test positive
Some ASG employees get paid and some don’t during COVID restrictions
3rd COVID related death reported; surge expected to peak this week
Manu’a teachers have raised concerns about reopening in class learning
4th COVID related death in latest Health Dept. release
First COVID-related death recorded in Samoa
APRIL
COVID deaths now stand at 8 in latest task force release
DoH readies preparations for surge in hospitalizations
Two more COVID related deaths bring the total to 10
FEMA continues reimbursement of funeral expenses for COVID victims
One new COVID related death reported while positive counts decrease
Overworked — without overtime or hazard pay — nurses plead for help
COVID deaths stand at 17 after previously unreported deaths counted
A 75-year old male is the latest victim of COVID-19
Proof of vax or negative test required for entrance into govt buildings
Fortunately still no COVID at Manu’a but one more death on Tutuila
Latest COVID related death brings total to 20
The world yearns for the hope of the Easter message
A very short Flag Day ceremony focuses on Con-Con
Gas prices exceeding $5 per gallon
LBJ ready to compromise on morgue policy as one more death reported
No roll-out date yet for second booster shot
Unvaccinated man latest COVID victim; total reported deaths now 24
64th day since COVID community spread confirmed
Despite eased restrictions still no indoor dining at local eateries
Task Force COVID report brings death toll to 26
Manu’a no longer Covid-19 free after 6 people test positive
MAY
Newer BA.2 variant detected in the territory
Death count reaches 27 on latest Task Force COVID report
Lt. Gov. details requirements for indoor dining at local restaurants
ASG moves ahead to control community spread in Manu’a
Latest COVID task force briefing reports 28th death, 109 active cases
Analysis of COVID mortality shows 75% in poor health prior to infection
Shoppers claim govt isn’t reflecting ‘real picture’ on food prices
Genomic sequencing confirms the presence of BA.2 variant
Local inflation expected to remain in the ‘double digits’ for most of 2022
Inter Samoa flights are now scheduled 3 days a week
LBJ reports on new COVID-related death brings total to 30
1 Million COVID deaths memorialized as flags lowered
Dine in service allowed once eateries gain Task Force approval
Morbid obesity deemed instrumental in COVID deaths of those under 50
Changes in testing and vax mandates coming up for travelers from US
Parent group protests, calling out to govt to reconsider vaccine mandates
Emergency declaration eases curfew and biz restrictions — BINGO back
Gov Lemanu confirms testing positive for COVID, he is asymptomatic
JUNE
Lt. Gov. says we’re on the road to ‘normality’ as COVID wanes
Gov’t moving yet again to another phase of COVID operation
Gov reemphasizes mandatory TALOFAPass registration for entry
COVID related death count for territory remains at 31 as spread slows
All biz restrictions and curfews lifted in latest emergency declaration
JULY
Latest COVID advisory reiterates and updates travel guidelines
Positive COVID cases climbing again as one additional death reported
Gov supports continuing “TALOFAPass” despite public concerns
Waivers required for travelers to the territory requesting vax exemption
Governor praises local and federal response in combating COVID
Several faipule speak up agreeing with public — end TALOFAPass
Task Force reports Olosega Island is no longer COVID-free
DoH lays out options to fight a second COVID surge
One more COVID-19 related death reported by LBJ Hospital
Lt Gov confirms testing positive after Manu’a trip
Healthcare community continues to call for masking and social distancing
Take heed American Samoa — COVID is still here!
Health director alarms staff by working while “slightly positive” for COVID
Social distancing required for in-person classes at all schools
AUGUST
All COVID testing and treatment now available at DoH clinics only
DoH lays out plan for $20 million in ARPA funding allocated for healthcare
Territory’s second COVID wave decreases as DoH turns to monkeypox
Another COVID related death brings territory’s total to 34
Some faipule and a non-profit group want the TALOFAPass ended
DoH looks to up number of passengers on Lady Naomi voyages
Governor says there will be a govt Christmas program this year
Feds begin review of COVID-19 grant spending by the insular areas
DoH report: COVID numbers continue to decline
Travelers testing positive still required to isolate
LBj downgrades hospital’s COVID response level to Code Yellow
No more COVID vax mandate for govt workers or students
Immigration chair casts doubts on continued usefulness of TALOFAPass
SEPTEMBER
Number of COVID positives remain virtually steady — in low double digits
DoH ends pre-travel testing requirement for travel to Apia
COVID-19 tests for arriving travelers discontinued
Samoa opens up its international travel — looking to stoke the economy
Confirmed COVID cases drop to single digit level this past week
Emergency Declaration imposes strict limits for entry to Am Samoa
COVID task force reports only 3 positive COVID cases detected
OCTOBER
COVID infections remain low, just 3 new cases reported from last week
Repurposing TALOFAPass discussed at task force meeting
TALOFAPass registration and full vaxing remain required for entry
Husband’s business “irrelevant to TALOFAPass,” Tofoitaufa tells SSIC
NOVEMBER
Repurposing TALOFAPass and ending vax requirement set for Nov. 15
No new COVID cases detected in territory for first time since February
Vaccination and pre-approval for entry to Am Samoa no longer required
TALOFAPass repurposed to American Samoa Traveler Declaration portal
Good-bye TALOFAPass; Hello Immigration hurdles
Masking reinstated at LBJ after uptick in respiratory cases
Task force recommends reopening territory to cruise ships in 2023
DECEMBER
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration lifted after more than 2 years
Work to start on the COVID task force annual report
Am Samoa plans to welcome back the world beginning New Years Day
DoH ends paper version of Traveler Declaration form beginning Jan 1
COVID Task Force is looking to officially end it’s work in mid-January
THE NEW YEAR
May we count our blessings as we head into 2023 that the pandemic has faded from our everyday lives and pray for a safe, healthy and Happy New Year in the months to come.