Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Government has extended a state of emergency through to 8th May.
It had been due to finish on Monday.
In the three weeks since Samoa recorded its first community case there have been more than 3,000 confirmed Covid cases, with 263 in the last 24 hour reporting period.
There have now been 7 confirmed deaths, according to the Samoa Observer.
Under the ongoing lockdown churches from tomorrow will be able to open their doors to up to 30 people.
Businesses and government services are being allowed to operate up until 2pm Monday to Saturday.
All businesses must be closed on Sundays.
YOUNGSTER CRITICAL
A one-year-old baby girl in Samoa is fighting for her life and is currently in an induced coma with severe pneumonia as a result of Covid-19.
Papalii Dr Tito Kamu has confirmed they are speaking with a paediatrician in New Zealand on how to assist the child.
He said the baby has been in an induced coma for three days now and is slowly recovering, but she remains critical.
NURSES BEARING THE BRUNT OF COVID
The president of the Samoa Nurses Association said more than 100 nurses have tested positive for COVID-19, with more than half of them having recovered and returned to work.
Samoa Observer reported Solialofi Papali'I saying "there is no question that nurses have been part of the pandemic from the start, as they put their lives on the line to help protect the people of Samoa."
She added there have been cases reported from Savai'i but the majority of the infections are from Upolu.
Papali'i said testing booths for hospital staff should be set up at hospital gates so they can be tested before and after work.
She admitted she had experienced first hand what it is like to be infected with the coronavirus and she said it is not a very pleasant experience.
"The pain is almost unbearable, my vision was blurry, my ears hurt all the time and my body was just in a lot of pain," she said.
Papalii added that she had all the symptoms of COVID-19 including loss of appetite, but she was forced by her children to eat and drink water.
She warned that the real problem is children below 5 years old who cannot be vaccinated.
"We are telling mothers to breastfeed the babies so that they can be protected from the virus, " she said.
COVID CONTINUES TO IMPACT PRISON INMATES AND STAFF
More prison guards in Samoa are testing positive to COVID-19, but others have since recovered and returned to work.
Deputy Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga told Radio Polynesia, that so far 25 prison guards have tested positive.
He said the number of prisoners who have tested positive is also climbing, but "they are in an isolated unit inside the Tanumalala Prison."
Leiataua said there is no nurse at the Tanumalala Prison to provide medical care for the infected inmates, but a nurse isn't needed as the majority of those affected are asymptomatic.
The infected prisoners are being given panadol as directed by the hospital.