Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Some 55 federal officials, including those from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are scheduled to arrive today on a charter flight to provide support after community spread of COVID-19 was identified in the territory, and as the total number reached 135 positive cases as of Mar. 2.

This is according to Health Department officials during yesterday morning’s Zoom news conference, where it was announced the inter Samoa flights would be suspended again, once yesterday afternoon’s last repatriation flight bringing home local residents stranded in Apia is completed.

DoH’s Dr. Fiona Trail said the federal employees would fulfill all entry requirements including registering on the ASG’s TalofaPass web-system. “We’re expecting 55 of them and nine crew members,” she said.

Upon arrival the federal team, — which Samoa News understands includes officials with the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — would be immediately transferred to Tradewinds Hotel for quarantine.

They will be tested upon arrival and restrictions placed on their movements until next Monday — day three in quarantine — when the federal team will receive their 2 test.

Dr. Trail said the team is here to provide support and “assist us” with the COVID-19 community spread. They will be helping DoH, LBJ Medical Center and the Emergency Operations Center.

And they will remain at the hotel until day-seven when they will be re-tested and if testing negative — allowed normal restrictions under Code Red.

The FEMA team is expected to bring with them supplies including COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, while another vaccinate shipment will arrive tomorrow, Mar. 5.

 For the inter Samoa flights, DoH Clinical Service director, Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao said 53 passengers arrived on Tuesday from Apia on repatriation flights to return local residents stranded in Samoa since flights were suspended.

She said all 53 passengers tested negative. Another group of between 30 and 40 passengers were expected to arrive on repatriation flights yesterday.

Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale, who led the news conference and is chair of the COVID-19 Task Force reiterated that after the repatriation flights, the inter Samoa route will be closed again.

However, voyages from Apia of the Samoa government-owned MV Lady Naomi continue for cargo only and will follow current restrictions, just like other container vessels entering the Port of Pago Pago.

“Don’t worry we will continue to have access to Apia. It’s just that at this moment, we’ll limit the traveling of our people for the time being,” he added.