406 new cases

A total of 406 more individuals were confirmed positive for COVID-19 in the CNMI across two days, according to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

CHCC first reported on Tuesday night 154 new cases that were all identified on Monday, Jan. 31. This was followed by 252 additional cases that were all confirmed positive on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

These combined 406 cases bring the CNMI total to 5,314 cases since March 26, 2020.

Separately, the Joint Information Center in Guam reported four more COVID-19-related deaths on Tuesday and then two more yesterday.

In a Feb. 1 news release, CHCC reported that, of the 154 new cases, 60 were identified through contact tracing, 74 through community testing, and 19 through travel testing. Of the 154, two cases were identified on Rota.

Separately, of the 252 cases identified on Feb. 1, a total of 180 identified via contact tracing, 66 via community testing, and six via travel testing . One of these cases was identified on Tinian and 16 on Rota.

All these individuals have been isolated and are actively monitored, CHCC assured. 

As of Feb. 2, CHCC reported that there are nine individuals hospitalized as a result of COVID-19: five unvaccinated, three vaccinated, and one partially vaccinated. Two have already been discharged.

Of the CNMI’s 5,314 total cases since March 2020, as of Jan. 31, 2022 there have been 4,226 total recovered cases, 1,065 total active cases, and 23 total COVID-19-related deaths.

CHCC reported that 103 total COVID-19 vaccines were administered on Feb. 1, bringing the CNMI’s vaccination rate to 99.3%. As of yesterday, this was now at 99.4%. In the CNMI, registering for vaccinations can be done through www.vaccinatecnmi.com.

CHCC reported that a total of 1,161 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Jan. 31. Registering for community-based testing in the CNMI can be done through http://covidtesting.chcc.health.

The Joint Information Center in Guam reported Tuesday the island’s 291st, 292nd, 293rd, and 294th COVID-19-related deaths, followed by the 295th and 296th deaths reported yesterday.

The 291st was an 81-year-old vaccinated male with underlying health conditions. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 21 and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Regional Medical City on Jan. 21.

The 292nd was an 85-year-old vaccinated male with underlying health conditions. He tested positive on Jan. 25 and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital on Jan. 31.

The 293rd was a 68-year-old unvaccinated female with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on Jan. 31 and was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on Jan. 31.

The 294th was a 98-year-old vaccinated male who tested positive on Jan. 31. He was pronounced dead on arrival in the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam on Jan. 31.

The 295th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the GRMC on Jan. 31, 2022. The patient was a 73-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on Jan. 28, 2022.

The 296th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the GMH on Feb. 1, 2022. The patient was a 69-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on Feb. 1, 2022. 

In both JIC news releases, acting Guam governor Joshua Tenorio gave his condolences to the families of the six. Tenorio also asked the Guam community to be proactive and monitor the health of your loved ones, especially those who are elderly or sick.

“Gov. Lou [Leon Guerrero], first gentleman Jeff [Cook], and I carry the sadness and sorrow along with their families. Losses like these are so great in our small community. Help your family members by monitoring their health, especially those who are elderly or sick. Please do not wait to get treatment or visit your doctor if you are feeling sick,” he said in the first JIC news release.

In yesterday’s news release, he said: “Once again we are faced with adversities from this pandemic where losses are always one too many. We have come out of this stronger before and I am confident our island can do it again.”