American Samoa reports first case of COVID as flights from Hawaii resume

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – American Samoa reported its first case of COVID on Friday after a traveler from Hawaii tested positive in quarantine.

The U.S. Territory Health Department said the person arrived on Monday – the first day Hawaiian Airlines resumed flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago. Flights had previously been suspended since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Officials said the traveler, who is a resident of the territory, was fully vaccinated and tested negative before boarding the flight.

American Samoa requires all travelers to be vaccinated and must pass three COVID tests before arriving. Upon arrival, travelers must also undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

Officials said the person was on their third day of quarantine when they tested positive for the virus.

“The discovery of this positive case during quarantine underscores the importance of why our process is essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Territory Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga said in the statement. “It further underscores the importance of maintaining our current quarantine protocols. “

The infected person, who was asymptomatic, was among about 260 other passengers on the flight.

Health officials said no further positive cases have been reported so far and contact tracing is ongoing as other passengers remain in quarantine.

In accordance with American Samoa’s COVID protocols, the infected person was transported to a government isolation center.

As the situation continues to be monitored, authorities have urged residents of American Samoa to remain calm and vigilant, practice basic hygiene and respect social distancing.

All scheduled flights to American Samoa are suspended until further notice.

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