Samoa's Government has confirmed one new positive coronavirus case, taking the total to 27.
The positive is a passenger from last week's flight from Brisbane.
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa Photo: Government of Samoa
As with the 26 other positive cases, he is also asymptomatic - showing no symptoms.
The government said the latest positive was identified in the third PCR tests, in which all other specimens returned negative.
The first patch of results from samples sent to New Zealand has also confirmed six of cases are infected by the Omicron variant and one infected by Delta variant.
All of the 27 positive cases, passengers and frontliners in isolation are asymptomatic and remain in Isolation.
The Samoa Government has extended the nationwide lockdown for a further 24 hours until Friday. The lockdown was to end at 6pm on Thursday.
Downtown Apia, Samoa's capital Photo: Government of Samoa
The reopening of shops and other essential services will proceed today from 8am to 2pm.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa added that Cabinet would revisit the alert levels and their triggers especially levels two and three, and would announce the next course of action in due time.
Samoa government extends lockdown Photo: Government of Samoa
Samoa Nurses Association praises members on the frontline
Our correspondent reports a story of heroism by senior Samoan nurses has emerged to give hope and strengthen the country's resolve to get through the challenging period.
Five frontline nurses had been caring for infected passengers from the Brisbane flight at MIQ when they all became infected.
Without hesitation they told authorities that they would continue to work and care for the infected patients.
Their selfless acts did not go unnoticed and TV1Samoa reported the Samoa Nurses Association praised the resolve of their members, who were now isolation patients themselves.
President of the Samoa nurses association, Solialofi Papalii, Photo: Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Association president Solialofi Papalii said they were proud of the way the senior nurses were handling the situation and sticking with their oaths as trained nurses in the service of others.
"They are committed to their service and have offered to leave the care of the infected patients in their hands," she said.
The association spoke daily with the nurses via video link and offer advice and moral support in the work they were doing, Papali'i said.
"We all hope and pray for the Lord's guidance for us all in these times."
Both prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and opposition leader Tuilaepa Saielel Malielegaoi have this week singled out the nurses in their efforts, as well as thanking all frontline workers involved in the challenging times.
Meanwhile, more than 260 Samoan frontline workers have also been quarantined at MIQ sites after the initial 10 positive cases were confirmed off the flight from Australia last week.
