By Staff Writer
The COVID virus run is roughly averaging 50 new cases a day in the 5-days since last Thursday when health tests confirmed the very first carrier showed up in the general community.
Of the 262 cases recorded so far in the country since mid-day last Monday 21 March 2022, passengers from the NZ repatriation flight of 6 March 2022 makes up 15 of the total number of confirmed carriers.
Public reaction in urban Apia in particular has been quiet since the lockdown roll out started but with a strong sense of uneasiness.
Screening sites around Apia as of Monday continues to draw large crowds showing little attention to social distancing in the rush for medical attention.
The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 1,510 tests were carried out as at 12 PM Monday 21 March 2022 at seventeen (17) designated COVID-19 screening sites, including health facilities.
The same crowd scene was repeated at pharmacies, commercial banks and other financial outlets.
Crowds at supermarkets stood out as the only location allowed to be opened to the public between 8.00am-2.00pm since the CODE RED lockdown on Saturday ending midnight tonight, Tuesday 22 March 2022.
Having to adjust to the health recommended protections from the virus appears to be the main cause of public uncertainties at practicing what they know already and must do.
The Ministry of Police is already going through the process with four of its officers tested positive already with the virus.
“Two are officers based at our Faleolo Police Post, one a police prison guard and a finance officers,” Deputy Police Commissioner, Auapaau Mr. Logoitino Filipo, confirmed when asked by Newsline Samoa.
“All are asymptomatic and are isolated in quarantine for the next 7 days before they are rotated back into police duties.”
Deputy Commissioner Auapaau is not overly worried with the police staff of around 800 who have all had their second vaccination shots with some getting booster injections as well.
Lockdown roadblocks have kept the police active in many of the strategic locations like busy intersections around the Apia Township with a few in Savaii.
“It has been mostly quiet except for a very few intoxicated drivers acting silly on the road; otherwise the majority of traffic during lockdown are people rushing to the hospital for emergencies.”
No other official confirmation is possible so far with other on duty services during the lockdown that included the national emergency committee, NEOC.
The lockdown runs out at mid-night tonight with Government yet to decide next.