Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lessons learned from the second repatriation flight and preparations for the third repatriation in April were the main topics of discussion during the meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force on Monday, Mar. 15, 2021, at the Department of Homeland Security (EOC) in Tafuna, according to a press release issued this week. Of note, the Task Force has decided to require advanced payment of cost share for travelers not covered by the Medicaid/LBJ Referral programs. 

During his opening remarks, Lt. Governor and COVID-19 Task Force Chair Talauega Ale said the arrival of the second repatriation flight had minimal issues and there were improvements with regard to disembarking travelers and transporting them to the quarantine facility. He expressed thanks to the collaborative efforts of all ASG departments, support from the private sector, and prayers throughout the community.

Talauega noted that Customs pulled some of the passengers’ luggage for inspection. He said this is unavoidable because law enforcement is allowed to continue to perform their duties for the protection of the public.

The total passenger count for the second repatriation flight is188. Dr. Aifili John Tufa of the Department of Health reported that the first COVID-19 tests for the passengers were administered on Friday, Mar. 12, and all the results were NEGATIVE.

The second and last of the COVID-19 tests for the group will be administered on Friday, Mar. 19.  Families will be allowed to drop off parcels from Monday - Saturday (2:00 pm - 5:00 pm), Sunday (11:00AM - 3:00 PM). Discharge from quarantine is scheduled for Monday, Mar. 22.

There are daily activities scheduled throughout the day to keep the passengers active and informed. These activities range from daily poolside exercise, Zoom call announcements, and evening prayer services. 

VACCINATION UPDATES

As of Mar. 14, 2021, 47.4% of the eligible population has received at least one dose of vaccine which continues to rank American Samoa among the top states or territories in vaccination coverage rates across the nation. 32.1% of the eligible population has completed their 2-shot vaccination.

Department of Health records show that the older group categories — those in the 41-50 years; 51-60 years; and 61 and older — are dominating the vaccination numbers. All three age groups have had more than 60% of its eligible population complete their first doses.  39.7% of the 41-50 age group, 41.2% of the 51-60 age group, and 50.8% of the 61 and older age group have all been fully vaccinated (completed two shots).

This is good news considering the older adults are at the highest risk for severe illness and hospitalization with COVID-19. Chair Talauega and Task Force members applauded and acknowledged the hard work put in by DOH Director Motusa Tuileama Nua and his staff for their great vaccination effort and outreach.

The Department of Health completed its first drive-thru vaccination efforts at the Tafuna airport over the weekend and the feedback from residents has been very positive. DOH is scheduling another drive-through vaccination for next month. For the drive-through vaccination, please call the DOH Command Post at 219 or 633-5871 to register.

Meanwhile, it continues to offer territory-wide vaccinations at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium this week (March 15 - 19 on M,W,F) from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. DOH advises the public to bring a photo ID and hospital card and if returning for a second dose to bring the vaccination card.

APRIL 15TH REPATRIATION FLIGHT

The third repatriation flight has been confirmed for Thursday, April 15 with plans to repatriate approximately 200 to 220 passengers as recommended by DOH.

Intake of travelers at the quarantine site (Waikiki Ohana East Hotel) will be no later than April 2nd.

And, in order to sustain future repatriation flights, the Task Force has decided to require advanced payment of cost share for travelers not covered by the Medicaid/LBJ Referral programs.

So far, only a dozen passengers from the first and second repatriation flights have paid their airfares, despite signing promissory notes.

A working group of the Task Force is meeting this week to discuss a payment process for repatriation passengers not covered under Medicaid/LBJ Referral programs that would allow them time to make payment and coordinate travel plans before registering at the quarantine site in Honolulu. Details will be released once it is finalized.

Accommodations for a limited number of travelers requiring dialysis are also in progress for the upcoming April flight to address concerns of travelers unable to receive treatments due to prolonged quarantine restrictions in both Hawaii and American Samoa.

ABUSES OF THE ASG REPATRIATION PROGRAM

The Governor’s office, Department of Health, and key Task force agencies continue to receive numerous calls, emails, and personal visits by family members since the repatriation flights commenced in February. The Task Force emphasizes that requests to the Governor’s office do not guarantee nor increase the likelihood of a seat on upcoming repatriation flights due to the limited seats available per flight.

It has been reported that travelers that may have departed on recent Medicaid charters for non-medical reasons have attempted to circumvent the process to return on subsequent repatriation flights. The Task Force highly discourages these practices and asks that such travelers allow room for travelers in priority categories or with pressing circumstances.

Travelers must also do their due diligence in registering on the DOH website:

https://americansamoapublichealth.com/ and ensuring that all necessary residency and travel documents are uploaded onto the Legal Affairs portal: https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/repatriation-document-upload to be deemed eligible of consideration for repatriation.

Further, the rate at which cost-share payments have been made will continue to impact the Government’s ability to sustain future repatriation flights.

Travelers on both the February and March repatriation flights that have not yet paid their cost-share are asked to do so personally or by arranging payments with family members.  Please contact the Medicaid Office at 684-699-4777 as soon as possible for instructions on cost-share payments.