Ready to fight the virus: Members of the third group of medics from China's Jilin, who are currently assisting Samoa. [Photo/People’s Daily]

The South Pacific island nation of Samoa had maintained its record of no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 pandemic by April 25 local time, according to local reports.

A local epidemic prevention and control expert said that prevention is the most important thing and the country’s record of zero confirmed cases owed much to China’s help.

Samoa, located near the equator, has a population of about 200,000 and fewer than 100 doctors. There is only one general hospital and the anti-epidemic supplies rely entirely on imports and assistance.

A Chinese doctor offers epidemic prevention and control training to local medics in Samoa. [Photo/People’s Daily]

Wang Yonggang, leader of the third group of medics from Jilin to have been dispatched to assist Samoa, revealed the probable reason for zero confirmed cases in the country -- Samoa learned from China's experience and took highly similar epidemic prevention and control measures to China according to actual situation, achieving a great prevention and control effect.

The latest medical team, including six medics from Northeast China’s Jilin province, went to assist Samoa in August 2019 and they could have returned to China after six months. But in the face of the global coronavirus outbreak, the team chose to stay in the country for epidemic prevention and control.

Local officials said that with help of the team, Samoa adopted a raft of epidemic prevention and control measures such as suspending overseas trips, limiting opening hours of supermarkets and establishing social distancing protocols.

China also sent medical materials to Samoa.

There are about 500 Chinese people now living in Samoa, who said that with the help of Chinese doctors, they feel safer and don't fear the epidemic so much.