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Community urged to cooperate with contact tracing
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Posted on Aug 25 2020
With reports of possible community transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. needs the community to cooperate with contact tracing in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the CNMI.
Speaking at last Friday’s radio news briefing, CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muña said that the goal of not just CHCC but everyone is to derail and suppress the spread of COVID-19, which is why she is asking the public not to be afraid when asked by CHCC personnel for information.
Muña also reminded the public to continue to practice the three W’s—wash your hands, wear your mask, and wait at a 6 feet distance—to stop the spread of the virus. This, she said, is meant to save lives and protect the elderly and those who are vulnerable.
The CNMI reimplemented some restrictions in people’s movement starting yesterday, as a means to tamp down community transmission of the virus.
Muña said that they have also been monitoring the United States, Hawaii, and especially Guam, which has resulted in beefing up the point of entry protocols, including requiring all incoming travelers to be placed in a government quarantine facility.
According to Muña, since March, they have opened up access to care, which means that they have also opened up presumptive Medicaid (a policy option that allows hospitals to provide temporary Medicaid coverage to individuals likely to qualify for Medicaid).
Warren Villagomez, head of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, echoed the importance of the community’s cooperation with contact tracing investigation as a means to stop the spread of the virus. That could also mean patrons going into establishments, he said.
Villagomez stated that the task force has formed an enforcement group to go out and monitor how the restrictions are being implemented, as well as to help educate businesses or community members how to diminish the spread of COVID-19.
