3 fire stations to host COVID-19 antigen testing

The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., in partnership with the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, will be conducting free COVID-19 antigen drive-thru testing for community members on Saipan starting Monday, Dec. 13, 2021.

Testing will be conducted via drive-thru only, and walk-ups will not be accepted. Testing timeframe is subject to the availability of testing supplies.

The DFEMS community-based testing initiative is strictly for surveillance purposes. No registration is needed. All ages can be tested.

For DFEMS antigen drive-thru testing, bring a physical identification documentation (ID) with the participant’s full name and date of birth. A phone number may be requested for contact tracing purposes.

Below are the COVID-19 antigen drive-thru testing dates on Saipan:

– Kagman Fire Station: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 8am – 4pm

– Garapan Fire Station: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 8am – 4pm

– Susupe Fire Station: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 8am – 4pm

COVID-19 antigen test results will be available within 15-30 minutes, and results from the DFEMS community-based testing does not come with official test result documentation, as this community-based testing is focused on COVID-19 surveillance purposes. Thus, the surveillance testing is not recommended for travel (for travel testing information, visit https://chcc.gov.mp/covid19testing.php).

However, if an individual tests positive for COVID-19, they will be contacted by the CHCC’s Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection Team for next steps to begin isolation and what to do afterward.

It is recommended that individuals who were exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19, or if an individual is considered having a high-risk exposure, wait five to seven days before taking the antigen test. The antigen tests perform best in people experiencing symptoms within a certain number of days since symptom onset.

The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and CHCC remind the public that getting tested for COVID-19 does not improve response to the illness, nor does it reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting the disease. People who are tested and have a negative result are still vulnerable to the virus. The community is encouraged to continue practicing the 3 W’s after getting tested: wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.

If an individual is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms like coughing, fever, shortness of breath, or new loss of taste or smell, it is recommended they get checked by a health care provider right away, or call the CHCC Tele-Triage line (670) 233-2067 if they do not have a provider.

If an individual is not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and it has been five to seven days since their exposure to a person who may have COVID-19, avail of the free DFEMS antigen testing or the free community-based testing (register at https://covidtesting.chcc.health. More dates will be announced.).

While you wait to get tested or get your test results, wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance, stay at home as much as possible, limit your contact with others, clean or disinfect surfaces frequently, monitor your symptoms, and cover coughs/sneezes.

In addition, CHCC highly encourages unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated or get a booster shot against COVID-19 to help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Data from small clinical trials show that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection is waning after the primary series, but protection remains high against severe disease and hospitalization. Register for an initial series or booster shot at www.vaccinatecnmi.com. (PR)