Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In the latest update concerning COVID-19 in the territory, the Health Department has put in place a COVID-19 response travel plan to protect the Manu’a island group from community transmission of the coronavirus, the number of positive cases has surpassed the 1,000 mark and the first cases have been recorded from Aunu’u island.

COVID-19 COUNT

The American Samoa COVID-19 Outbreak Situational Report released yesterday morning states that as of Mar. 16, the total cumulative counts to date is 1,005 confirmed community cases, 0 deaths, 342 treated with therapeutics. Of the overall total cases, 94 have recovered - meaning 14 days has passed after testing positive for COVID19, and the individual is asymptomatic.

Additionally, 33.7% (or 339 individuals) of the overall total positive cases had received booster doses. And there are currently 911 active cases and four hospitalizations.

For the 24-hour period up to Mar. 16, documented positives totaled 140 individuals and two were new hospitalizations.

The latest DoH data shows that the virus has spread to Aunu’u with two positive cases as of Mar. 16. The first case was recorded on Mar. 15.

DoH data shows that Tafuna continues to have the highest number of cases, increasing to 200, followed by Nu’uuli 100, Pavaiai 71, Ili’ili 65 and Pago Pago 64. (See chart in today’s edition for villages and numbers of cases.) The data listed Leone twice — 58 cases and 2 cases, with no explanation provided by DoH why Leone is listed twice with different numbers.

ASG officials, including health and medical professionals continue to urge the community to get fully vaccinated, and get the booster shot. Also encouraged is for people to get tested.

Vaccination and testing sites for today will close at 12noon.

MANU’A COVID PLAN

DoH announced its COVID-19 Response Travel Plan for Manu’a on Wednesday afternoon saying that to protect residents of the island group from community spread of the virus, “all flights to the Manu’a islands are suspended until further notice” except for medical evacuation and DoH charter flights for medical supplies — such as medication, COVID-19 test kits and vaccination doses.

And these flights must be approved by the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR), who is Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale, in order to operate. Talauega is also head of the COVID Task Force.

For vessel service, the MV Manu’atele and MV Pago Pago cargo services will continue to operate once a week and as needed.

DoH says crew members will be tested 24 hours before travel. Crew who test positive will not be allowed to travel and are referred to health officials for medical assessment and then must follow DoH protocols for isolation and quarantine.

“No passengers are allowed to travel to and from, on these trips,” said DoH and explained that the MV Manu’atele cargo service will deliver merchandise goods, while the MV Pago Pago will transport building materials for Paramount Builders Inc. — the contractor for the ongoing Ofu Airport runway renovation project.

Furthermore, crew members are not allowed to disembark and Manu’a residents are not allowed on the wharf during loading and off-loading.

Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua says DoH will continue to monitor and reassess the COVID-19 situation in Manu’a and will revise the plan to accommodate any changes that occur to serve the people of the island group.

DoH didn’t provide any information or a plan on when to it will carry out testing for COVID-19 in Manu’a, as sought by residents there, as concerns rise after recent travelers arrived from Tutuila.