Over 200 tested in the CNMI

Less than three days after the start of mass testing for COVID-19, it was learned that more than 224 individuals have already been tested in the CNMI, with their specimens collected at the drive-thru booth at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. So far, all specimens have been negative for coronavirus.

The community-based testing started on Monday, April 27 with 71 individuals, which included first responders and some medical workers. On Tuesday, April 28, testing was expanded to the CNMI public and a total of 153 individuals were tested. These numbers were obtained from independent sources; the Office of the Press Secretary had yet to release official numbers as of press time.

Overall, a total number of 224 specimens have already been collected. There was no further information on how many more people were tested for COVID-19 yesterday.

The specimens for testing are being collected by Commonwealth Health Center staff at the airport.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is now awaiting the results of 262 specimen, which includes the specimens that were tested by the CHC Lab, Guam Public Health Laboratory, and the Diagnostic Laboratory Services in Honolulu, Hawaii.

As of yesterday, there are no active COVID-19 cases in the CNMI and there is no person under investigation.

Of the 14 that were positive for COVID-19 in the CNMI, two have died; all 12 others have already recovered and been released from the Alternative Care Site at Kanoa Resort in Susupe.

COVID-19 in Guam

The Department of Public Health and Social Services tested 110 individuals for COVID-19 on April 28. One tested positive through DPHSS and 109 tested negative. The results include samples from the COVID-19 expanded testing in Astumbo and Dededo.

The DPHSS overall count also includes probable cases of COVID-19 and confirmed positive cases tested by the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, California, the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, the Guam National Guard, and Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

To date, Guam has a total of 145 confirmed cases, five deaths, and 130 recoveries. All remaining cases are in isolation.

According to the Joint Information Center in Guam, when a patient is released from isolation, he or she is no longer considered infectious.