40th COVID-19-related death in NMI

The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. have confirmed the CNMI’s 40th COVID-19-related death.

According to the latest CHCC news release late Monday night, it also said that, as of Aug. 22, 2022, there are zero individuals hospitalized as a result of COVID-19. Before that, from Aug. 14 to Aug. 20, 2022, there were three new hospitalizations related to COVID-19. Based on this, it is presumed that two cases have since been discharged and the 40th fatality came from this number.

Also, from Aug. 14 to 20, 2022, 99 additional individuals have been confirmed positive for COVID-19, bringing the CNMI total to 13,050 cases since March 28, 2020; three of the new cases were identified before Aug. 14, 2022.

Of the 99 recent cases, 16 were identified on Aug. 14, 2022; 21 on Aug. 15, 2022 (one on Tinian); and 21 on Aug. 16, 2022; two on Aug. 17, 2022; 20 on Aug. 18, 2022; 16 on Aug. 19, 2022 (one on Tinian); and three on Aug. 20, 2022

The CNMI is in COVID-19 Community Level Medium.

As of Aug. 19, 2022, a total of 24,622 COVID-19 additional/booster vaccine shots have been administered; of the eligible population, 53.5% have received an additional dose. The vaccination rate is calculated using the 2020 Census population estimates for the CNMI and includes the eligible 5-years-old and older population.

A total of 2,390 COVID-19 tests were conducted Aug. 14 – 20, 2022, 2022:

• 224 on Aug. 14, 2022
• 629 on Aug. 15, 2022
• 381 on Aug. 16, 2022
• 79 on Aug. 17, 2022
• 463 on Aug. 18, 2022
• 528 on Aug. 19, 2022
• 86 on Aug. 20, 2022

Of the total cases identified in the CNMI, there have already been 12,948 recoveries; 62 active cases; and 40 COVID-19-related deaths.

The next report will be around Aug. 29, 2022.

What to do

Guidelines for residents of the CNMI to consider while we are in COVID-19 Community Level Medium have been updated:

• Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses.

• Maintain ventilation improvements.

• Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

• Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

• Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

• If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

• If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a well-fitting mask or respirator when indoors in public.

• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider testing to detect infection before contact and consider wearing a mask when indoors with them.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home as much as possible; wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public; should not go places where you are unable to wear a mask; should not travel; take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible; should not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils; and should monitor your symptoms.

If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.

Residents of the CNMI who test positive for COVID-19 may be eligible for treatment by calling (670) 234-8950, ext. 5068, or reporting their positive test result online at www.staysafecnmi.com/self-reporting as soon as possible after testing positive. Residents requesting COVID-19 treatment should fill out the medical questionnaire in the form to get assessed as soon as possible. Reporting a positive test result online also allows residents to obtain a certificate of quarantine completion, which employers/individuals may use as documentation of a positive test result.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should get tested for COVID-19. You should isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full, updated isolation recommendations at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.

CHCC continues to encourage the community to get vaccinated if they have not done so, or get their booster shot if they are eligible to help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, or death. People considered high risk (e.g., history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or cancer, or over the age of 65), immunocompromised persons, or unvaccinated individuals are at risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals spread the virus at a higher rate than vaccinated individuals, thereby increasing the spread and risk of serious illness toward other unvaccinated individuals.

Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination, which includes additional doses for individuals who are immunocompromised or booster doses for those who are eligible. Register for COVID-19 vaccines at www.vaccinatecnmi.com, or call (670) 236-8745.

Data show that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection is waning after the primary series, but protection remains high against severe disease and hospitalization.

Testing

Free COVID-19 testing is available by registering at https://covidtesting.chcc.health.

While you wait to get tested or for your test results, stay at home as much as possible and limit your contact with others. Live COVID-19 safe: wear your mask; wash your hands; watch your distance; avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces; cover coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily; be alert for symptoms daily; and get tested for COVID-19.