Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) has reported another COVID-19 related death and 362 new community cases to push the country's total to over 6,000 cases.

The M.O.H. report also confirmed one more COVID-19 fatality in the last 48 hours, taking the total number of coronavirus deaths in Samoa to 13 with the deceased being a 73-year-old male.

In the meantime, Samoa Observer is reporting the Government has eased its State of Emergency Orders by increasing the number of people in public gatherings, lifting a ban on alcohol sales and granting the operation of all businesses from 6am to 8pm.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa Tuesday afternoon (local time) when she extended the Alert Level 2 response for another 2 weeks and announced major changes to the S.O.E. Orders. 

Fiame noted that even though Samoa continues to see the rise of community infections, the country needs to be vigilant in the implementation of its health measures. 

“The fact that the necessary services need to be accessible to everyone this is against the State of Emergency Orders from time to time,” she said. 

In this regard, she said the Cabinet decided at its meeting on Tuesday that whole country will remain on Alert Level 2, Orange for next 2 weeks starting from midnight Tuesday to Tuesday 3 May.

Read more at Samoa Observer