Clinic open around the clock

AMERICAN SAMOA – A doctor in American Samoan says a free 24 hour clinic operating after Cyclone Gita has seen a steady flow of patients.

The Tafuna Community Health Centre has been 24 hours a day since the storm hit the territory ten days ago.

The centre’s director Dr Saipale Fuimaono said fortunately the projected increase in people seeking health care didn’t happen and there weren’t any serious injuries.

“There were a few cases in the first few days, especially some minor cuts, lacerations, some puncture wounds and then two or three days later, we’ve been seeing a lot of respiratory cases, especially the kids with asthma.”

Dr Fuimaono said the centre’s 24 hour service would end this this week.

Park trails damaged by Gita

AMERICAN SAMOA – Early surveys show Cyclone Gita caused extensive damage to American Samoa’s National Park trails which will take weeks to clear.

National Park officials said reports showed damage caused by downed trees, mud and debris slides and fallen rocks.

All trails within the National Park and the Blunts Point World War Two Heritage Trail were closed out of concern for safety.

The park’s superintendent, Scott Burch, said park staff were working hard to assess damage and clear trails, but the scale of the damage they were seeing meant it might be months before trails can reopen.

He said the park was working with territory and federal partners to determine the appropriate steps for recovery.