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Rota resident brought to PIC
A man who arrived on Rota by boat from Guam was quarantined at his home for 14 days before he was brought to the quarantine site at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan in San Antonio by a Department of Public Safety boat last June 14.
According to a source, the male individual was allowed by DPS and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. on Rota to enter Rota’s borders and to self-quarantine at home, with a police car parked outside to ensure that he doesn’t leave his house. The individual was in quarantine at his home for 14 days before being brought to PIC for another bout of quarantine. He will reportedly have to pay for his way back to Rota after his quarantine period is over.
According to Warren Villagomez, chairman of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, they ensured that the first responders who went to Rota to bring the man to PIC for quarantine would not be exposed to any unnecessary risks.
“There was no other choice but to safeguard and minimize the risk of any exposure on Rota of travelers coming from Guam,” said Villagomez. “That decision was made to [have him] be transported to Saipan for quarantine as well as monitoring.”
Additionally, Villagomez said that any travel through Star Marianas Airlines or any charter coming from Guam and going to Rota is not permitted at this time.
“That’s the purpose of the transfer yesterday and it was a Boating Safety transfer and it was successful,” said Villagomez.
He stated that this wasn’t an exception. Additionally, DPS was successful in bringing in the individual since the waters weren’t so rough when they got him.
“It was a judgment call determination. …What we want to do is minimize the risk of COVID-19,” said Villagomez.
The individual is now being monitored, processed, and is going through all the protocols that any travelers who enter the CNMI go through.
COVID-19 in Guam
According to the Joint Information Center in Guam, the COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at different times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided once all tests are finalized.
To date, Guam has 185 confirmed cases, with five deaths, 169 released from isolation, and 11 active cases.
