Staff Writer
A returning seafarer may be the first positive case of the coronavirus in Samoa when he was tested positive last night. A second test this morning came out negative.
The suspected case was among the group of seafarers who made their way to New Zealand to catch the repatriation flight to Samoa last Friday.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was up early in the morning to make the announcement on the national media and to call for the country to remain calm.
He said the suspected carrier has been isolated and under tight security health watch.
Social media was alive with health safety concerns before the official announcement by the Prime Minister.
Cabinet holds an emergency Cabinet meeting this afternoon to go over this latest turn of events in the coronavirus pandemic for Samoa.
A repatriation flight is due in Samoa tomorrow, Friday. More seafarers are expected to be on board including, students and missionaries.
The flight is the first ever to fly in directly from the US and the second after Australia to land at Faleolo Airport.
Most of the flights were from New Zealand including the one last week that brought in the suspected case.