Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — LBJ Medical Center has recorded a cumulative total of 27 deaths relating to COVID-19, as of May 1, and the new death is a 61-year old female who passed away from COVID pneumonia and had other underlying health conditions, including a heart problem.

This is according to LBJ acting chief of staff Dr. Akapusi Ledua during yesterday’s COVID-19 Task Force news conference, where he also said that the new fatality was admitted to the hospital on Apr. 19 and passed away on May 1.

At the time of yesterday’s news conference, Dr. Ledua said there are four patients in the COVID ward, with two new admissions over the weekend. Of the new admissions, one is a 60-year old female, who is fully vaccinated and got the booster dose. She was admitted with other medical problems and tested positive for COVID-19.

And the second new admission is a 73-year old male, who is unvaccinated, has other health issues and tested COVID positive, said Dr. Ledua. (See Samoa News edition this week on LBJ’s COVID-19-related death analysis report.)

Health Department acting director of Clinical Services, Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao, who presented the DoH situational report as of May 1, also noted one new virus related death, bringing the cumulative total to 27.

According to the DoH May 1 report, 116 tests were conducted at DoH and LBJ, with four new positive cases identified. Total cumulative of the community spread stands at 5,812 since the first positive was recorded on Feb. 21.

DoH also reported that there are 101 active cases — which include 15 on Ta’u island in Manu’a — with 14 at Faleasao village and one at Ta’u village.

Dr. Lauvao provided an update on DoH’s response to the Manu’a outbreak, with a medical team already sent late last week, along with vaccination and testing supplies. And yesterday, three more DoH team members were dispatched to the Island group.  (See yesterday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

Because the community spread in Manu’a has just started, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale said at the start of the news conference that the governor will be issuing an amendment to the current COVID-19 declaration, with certain limitations on public gatherings in Manu’a.

The proposed limit for public gatherings in Manu’a will be 20 people indoors and 10 outdoors. And all must comply with face-masks and social distancing.

For vaccination and testing sites on Manu’a, as well as the ones on Tutuila, call the DoH Command Post for the latest update, and also check on the DoH Facebook page.

This Health Department chart shows the number of active COVID-19 cases for American Samoa as of May 21 — per village and the numbers in each village.

Click on attachment below to read full text of governor's amendment.