Covid 19 coronavirus: Samoa's first case a sailor who arrived on repatriation flight from Auckland

A sailor has tested positive for Covid-19 in Samoa - the first case of infection on the Pacific island.

The man arrived in Samoa on a repatriation flight from Auckland last Friday and tested positive last night.

But a second test had come back negative when he was tested about 6am today (local time). Despite that, the man is being treated as a positive case.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi addressed the nation on Facebook to announce the news.

Speaking to media this morning, he confirmed the sailor is a Samoan national who had been working overseas who had returned home on a repatriation flight - which he had every right to, the PM said.

"We have been preparing for this," Tuilaepa said.

He urged the public not to be afraid and to remain calm right now.

"There is nothing to worry about. We have been preparing for this for a long time.

'Do not panic - we have been preparing for this'

"Our medical staff are all ready and we have enough medical supplies."

Samoa is one of the few countries around the world that has remained free of Covid-19 up until now.

It has been under a state of emergency since the beginning of the year, despite there never being a confirmed case of Covid before this.

Samoa PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi pictured last year getting a measles vaccination. Photo / Government of Samoa

Tuilaepa said: "We thank God that in the last nine months, we have been safe [from the virus].

"Now, the plea to the public is that we all carry out the precautions many around the world are carrying out already.

"As you can see this morning, I am wearing a mask ..."

The state of emergency in the island nation has now been extended for another four weeks - up until December 23.

The infected man is now in an isolation ward at a quarantine facility.

Tuilaepa repeated his message to the community calling for calm and not to panic, saying the public should not take any risks that may lead to infection spreading in the community.

The island nation was quick to shut its borders to the world earlier this year, when Covid started to affect many countries.

Part of the reason for Samoa's quick reaction was due to the country suffering from the devastating measles epidemic that resulted in dozens of deaths - mostly babies and young children - last year.