No confirmed case of coronavirus — but two local people in quarantine

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two local residents who returned last week after visiting China and Taiwan are under 14-day quarantine observation for the coronavirus at the Leone health Center, according to health officials during a cabinet briefing late yesterday afternoon on the measles outbreak and update on the coronavirus.

So far, neither American Samoa nor neighboring Samoa have a confirmed case of coronavirus, say local health officials.

The new deadly virus is spreading fast globally and has claimed more than 350 lives in China, where the virus started last December at the city of Wuhan.

The Philippines govenrment announced over the weekend its first death from the virus -  that has spread to more than 12 countries around the world, including the U.S. with nine-cases - as of yesterday afternoon.

Also at the cabinet briefing, health officials say American Samoa’s laboratory confirmed measles cases remain at 15, while awaiting results of one-suspected case sent to Hawaii state laboratory for testing.

Details in tomorrow’s edition.