COVID-19 pandemic in American Samoa

On 6 March, the American Samoan government introduced new entry restrictions including restricting flight numbers and requiring travelers from Hawaii to spend 14 days in Hawaii and obtain a health clearance from health authorities.[7] On 11 March, a government task-force was set up to deal with the virus and quarantining measures have been put in place for incoming visitors.[8] On 14 March, half of the 210 passengers on a returning Hawaiian Airlines flight were required to self-quarantine at home.[9] Following a trip to the US mainland, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga self-isolated as a precautionary measure on 16 March.[10]

On 26 March, Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, executive assistant to the American Samoa Governor and the head of the territory's coronavirus task force, acknowledged that the territory did not have facilities to test samples of the COVID-19 virus, having to rely on testing facilities in Atlanta, Georgia.[11]

On 19 April, United States President Donald Trump declared that a major disaster existed in American Samoa, responding to a request for help from Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga on 13 April. This declaration makes the territory eligible for federal assistance to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has named its Regional 9 administrator Robert Fenton Junior as the Coordinating Officer for any federal recovery operations in American Samoa.[12]

As of 6 May, the US territory has reported no cases.[13]

On 9 November, American Samoa reported its first three cases, who were crew members aboard the container ship Fesco Askold.[1][14] This marked the confirmed spread of COVID-19 to every inhabited US territory; the disease had previously been confirmed to have spread to all 50 states and the District of Columbia with the confirmation of a case in West Virginia on 17 March.

On 18 November, the Department of Health, Port Administration and the Fesco Askold's owners reached an agreement to allow local stevedores to offload and load containers from the container vessel.[15] According to Radio New Zealand, the Fesco Askold is scheduled to leave American Samoa on 19 November.[16]

On 21 December, American Samoa started its COVID-19 vaccinations by vaccinating its health workers and first responders with the Pfizer vaccine.[17] On the same day, another case was reported as a crew member aboard the container ship Coral Islander was tested positive.[18]