COVID positive cases at 154 as ASG details quarantine protocol

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A total of 19 individuals tested positive yesterday, Mar. 3, taking American Samoa’s total cumulative COVID-19 cases to 154 positives, according to the Health Department’s report released last night by the Emergency Operations Center.

There are no reported hospitalization or deaths related to COVID-19 on Mar. 3 and those who tested positive were served with a Home Isolation Directive for 14-days.

As with previous confirmed cases, all family members in the same household with the new positives are considered close contacts and are being served with a 14-day Home Quarantine Directive.

An earlier COVID-19 Outbreak Situational Report emphasized that anyone who tests positive will be served with a Home Isolation Directive. They are to stay isolated at home for 14 days. All family members in the same household are considered close contacts and will be served with a Home Quarantine Directive, also for 14 days.

Enforcement of Home Isolation and Quarantine is conducted by the Department of Public Safety and the Office of Samoan Affairs.

The governor’s new COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, valid through Apr. 1, provides additional details on requirements for individuals who are ordered into home isolation or quarantine.

It says that the person is to register or be registered on the TalofaPass web-system for contact tracing and/or for daily reporting that the individual is abiding by all quarantine and isolation protocols and requirements, including those mandated by DoH.

Another provision states that a copy of the directives for home isolation/quarantine may be provided to law enforcement officers and village pulenu’u who are specifically charged with confirming compliance with those directives.

In accordance with a provision of local statute, no law enforcement officer or pulenu’u who receives the directives may further disclose any information they receive or make or retain any copies of the directives except as the law allows.

All copies of directives shall be returned to DoH when the quarantine or isolation period is over.

Furthermore unauthorized entry into quarantine or isolation sites — including a home — where a person is quarantine or isolate is prohibited.

Meanwhile, DoH is conducting vaccinations and testing today at its three DoH clinics and plans to hold a vaccination drive-thru tomorrow, Saturday at the Pago Pago International Airport parking lot.

VILLAGE COUNTS FROM MARCH 3 TESTING