American Samoa's Department of Health says it is closely monitoring the extent of the Covid-19 outbreak in Hawai'i.
American Samoa remained the only US territory or jurisdiction to not have had a case of the coronavirus.
However it's main connection with the outside world was restricted and official travel through an air link with Hawai'i.
A morning view over the city of Honolulu Photo: AFP
In a presentation to cabinet this week by Epidemiologist Aifili Dr John Tufa said there was a correlation between the spread of Covid-19 world-wide, including in the US, and the relaxing of restrictions and the reopening of borders.
Aifili said local authorities would need to keep an eye on the situation in Hawai'i when making any changes to their restrictions.
"Just the other day they confirmed over 350 cases in a period of one day. Last month when I gave the update at the Governor's briefing the number of cases in Hawai'i was just over 1,000 cases and in about three weeks time it reached over 5,000 and the number of deaths also has continued to rise."
Meanwhile Aifili also confirmed American Samoa was about to double its capacity to test for Covid-19.
Epidemiologist Aifili Dr John Tufa Photo: RNZ Pacific / Monica Miller
The local Department of Health had conducted over 1,500 Covid-19 tests so far, all of which had been negative.
The main LBJ Hospital had an ABI 7500 testing machine, capable of doing 96 tests a day.
LBJ also had 20,000 test kits to be used with the second hand machine.
The hospital is now set to receive another brand new ABI 7500 machine, which will take a couple of weeks to calibrate.
LBJ hospital, American Samoa Photo: RNZI
