COVID-19

Bainimarama says the fifth case is a 31-year-old who was in direct contact with the first patient during zumba classes.

She started developing symptoms while in self-quarantine.

Bainimarama added the average age of our 5 cases is just 27 and anyone at any age can be a carrier.

The Prime Minister also stated that the Nadi Airport will be officially closed from tomorrow. 

He went on to say that it is likely that more cases will be confirmed in the future and everyone should be more vigilant.      

Government officials have given an update on the the Covid-19 national response, the latest health update, border issues and an essential services update.

Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said there were now 205 confirmed and probably cases, and there had been a total of 9780 tests undertaken so far.

Eight people who arrived in Auckland airport yesterday tested positive for Covid-19.

The patients' samples have been sent to a laboratory in New Zealand for testing.

The government says the identity of the cases is confidential, despite the first suspected case - since proven negative - being identified in local media.

The ministry of health has urged people to respect the privacy and confidentiality of patients and to avoid stigmatising people who might be affected by Covid-19.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says early this morning, they confirmed the fourth case of COVID-19.

This patient is not related to our first three cases.

He is a 28 year old Fijian man who arrived back into the country on Saturday from Australia.

Bainimarama says when the man left that Fiji Airways flight FJ916 on March 21st, he was not showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

He says he was advised by health officials at the airport to go straight home and self-quarantine for 14 days.

The Prime Minister says it appears the man did everything right.

With the coronavirus alert level ramping up from level two to three on Monday and moving to level four from midnight Wednesday, the already tenuous Super Rugby replacement competition has been put on indefinite hold, putting further economic pressure on NZ Rugby.

The confirmation today from finance minister Grant Robertson that the Covid-19 financial relief package would be extended to incorporated societies means NZ Rugby will be eligible for a payout but Robinson said tonight what that looked like remained to be seen.

Emergency provisions issued on Friday include restricting all public gatherings in the country to no more than five people.

Public transport carrying more than five people is to be temporarily halted and nightclubs, restaurants and cinemas are to be closed.

Street vendors have been told to not operate and people aged over 60 have been told to remain at home unless seeking medical attention.

Travel to the island of Savai'i has been limited to just three days a week. Non-essential public servants are also having their hours reduced.

Effective today Monday, 23 March 2020, the public is urged to refrain from taking family members and children to any police station unless they are victims of a crime or are required by police.

Anyone requiring a police clearance report must show up personally at the Police Headquarters to make a request.

Only one member of the family is allowed to visit a family member in custody.

Laboratory tests are being done to confirm or rule out seasonal flu and COVID-19.

These cases have a history of travel to or contact with a relative who had travelled to Australia, Fiji, New Zealand or Spain and then had flu-like symptoms upon return to Samoa. All cases are now in isolation and being monitored closely by the Ministry of Health.

This means that the patients are being cared for separately from other patients to ensure that there is no transmission of COVID-19 if it is eventually confirmed.

His Highness, the Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II pursuant to Article 106 of the Constitution and at the advice from Cabinet approved the following orders to go into effect at 12:00 midnight Saturday 21 March 2020.

1. National fasting and prayer:
A national period of fasting and prayer is to be observed by every family in Samoa from Sunday 22 March 2020 until Saturday 29 March 2020 from 6.00am – 12.00pm daily.

As schools shut and some people work from home, many are feeling cut off from their everyday hobbies and social lives.

But the internet offers a means to stay connected and to keep us all entertained and educated through the days of isolation.

Here are just some of the ways people are already using technology to lift their spirits.

Socialising remotely

Groups have also been finding innovative ways to socialise, hosting dinner parties and even Brownies meetings online.