Governor extends Code Red another week to retard COVID spread

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In an address delivered yesterday afternoon via live-stream on KVZK-TV social media platforms, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga announced that the current Code Red level will continue for another week.

The previous 7-days of Code Red was effective through Mar. 1 (tomorrow) and the governor said in his address delivered in Samoan — that a second week is necessary to protect and prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the community.

He noted the latest health officials’ report of 63 confirmed positive cases in the community and pointed out that he has been informed by the COVID-19 Task Force that federal government support — including personnel — is expected later this week to assist American Samoa. 

Of the 63 positive cases, he said a majority of the infected are fully vaccinated, while some are still not vaccinated.

He reiterated the importance of being fully vaccinated to protect from the coronavirus, and acknowledged that there are those in the community still against being vaccinated.

He again urged those not fully vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.

He thanked all sectors of American Samoa for their support and cooperation during the first week of Code Red restrictions, and again called for the continued support and cooperation for the second week to prevent further spread of the virus.