4 Guam deaths, 1 new NMI case

The CNMI added one more person yesterday to its tally of positive COVID-19 cases, while the neighboring island of Guam recorded four new COVID-19-related deaths.

In the CNMI, the newest positive case is an incoming traveler. This brings the CNMI’s total to 103 cases since March 28, 2020, when the CNMI posted its first case.

The latest case was identified by travel screening and confirmed diagnosis through testing upon arrival last Saturday, Nov. 14. It was not immediately reported as the traveler’s origin needed to be verified in order to avoid double reporting. The confirmation results became available yesterday.

The individual has already been safely in quarantine and was moved to the designated isolation area at the Kanoa Resort Alternative Care Site for close monitoring.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts of the new confirmed cases, including passengers on the same flight.

In Guam, its Joint Information Center was notified that the territory’s 98th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City at approximately 10:34am yesterday. The patient was a 65-year-old female with underlying conditions that were further compounded by COVID-19. She was admitted to GRMC on Nov. 16, 2020, and tested positive upon admission. 

Guam’s 97th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at GMH at approximately 1:02am, also yesterday. The patient was a 64-year-old female with underlying conditions that were further compounded by COVID-19. She was admitted to GMH on Oct. 30, 2020, and was a known positive case. 

Guam’s 96th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital at approximately 10:25pm Sunday night. The patient was a 50-year-old male and tested positive for COVID-19 upon admission on Nov. 4, 2020.  

About four hours before that, at approximately 6:55pm, Guam posted its 95th COVID-19-related fatality at the U.S. Naval Hospital. The patient was a 72-year-old male with underlying conditions that were further compounded by COVID-19. He was admitted to USNH on Oct. 31, 2020, and was a known positive case. 

“Our day is filled with sorrow as we learn of four more passings to COVID-19. May their families accept our deepest condolences and sympathies,” said Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. “Too many souls have been lost to this virus and too many people have been left to grieve. Our vigilance and our commitment to protecting each other are what will get us through this.”