Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Manu’a island group is no longer COVID-free, after the Health Department recorded six COVID-19 cases at Faleasao village on Ta’u island. And the positive cases prompted the local Education Department to issue a notice that schools on Ta’u island return to virtual learning starting yesterday.

Manu’a residents started posted messages on social media late Wednesday afternoon about the first-positive case and updated later with new information by the evening hours with six positive cases — some of them are family members, who are all from Faleasao village.

ASG officials say that the Health Department briefed the governor and the COVID-19 Task Force yesterday morning about the six confirmed cases — which were recorded on Wednesday at Faleasao village.

However, no information was available from DoH at press time as to how the deadly virus was spread to the island group. However, it’s reported that at least two people who traveled to Tutuila for a funeral recently — and tested negative before boarding the flight back to Manu’a — later tested positive, after showing symptoms.

In a special address aired on KVZK-TV, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga announced that the community spread of COVID-19 has reached Manu’a, which had been COVID free since the virus spread was recorded on Tutuila on Feb. 21.

The governor pointed out that while the positive cases have declined recently on Tutuila, COVID-19 still exists and has reached Manu’a whose residents were urged to work with the task force on addressing issues such as vaccination and testing and to abide with set restrictions.

He said a DoH medical team is being sent to Manu’a to work with health officials there and the community. He asked residents to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus.

The governor announced that ASG offices in Manu’a are now closed and employees are to work remotely. And this is the same for Manu’a schools returning to virtual learning.

A notice posted on the local Education Department social media platforms yesterday morning states that the Health director has confirmed COVID cases in Faleasao village on Ta’u island. Therefore, Manu’a High School, Faleasao Elementary and Fitiuta Elementary — all on Ta’u island — have been shifted back to virtual learning starting yesterday.

Meanwhile, a group of Manu’a residents have reached out to DoH for additional support for the Ta’u and Ofu clinics should a severe case arise needing further medical treatment or oxygen tanks or ventilators, according to a posting on Manu’atele Community Worldwide Facebook page.

It was also announced on the page on Wednesday evening that “Manu’a is no longer Covid-19 Free” and the number is up to 6 villagers of Faleasao who have tested positive of COVID.