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CHCC: We’re very much prepared
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Posted on Feb 06 2020
The Commonwealth Health Care Corp. is certain that if the outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV makes its way to the islands, they are very much prepared to handle the situation.
According to CHCC spokesperson Zoe Travis, the corporation has been hosting numerous training and ratcheting up standard operating procedures around measles, which she said is much more infectious than the coronavirus.
“If we were to get one case of the coronavirus on island, we’re very prepared and would have been anyway since we already prepared for measles,” she said.
Citing the outbreak of measles in other areas in the Pacific early this year like what happened in Samoa, Travis said that their staff at the Commonwealth Health Center have been taking precautionary measures to ensure that they are readily prepared should the CNMI have an outbreak of measles or any other illnesses.
“We want the public to know that if there was or is a suspected or probable case, we will tell the people immediately,” said Travis. “We are not actively trying to keep information or anything from anybody.”
She also assured that, as of 4pm yesterday, there are still no suspected or confirmed cases of the 2019-nCoV virus in the CNMI.
Still, Travis advises the community to be cautious and protect yourself and others against this coronavirus and other illnesses. Common symptoms of the 2019-nCoV include fever, cough, and shortness of breath/difficulty breathing.
If you have a symptom, even if you know that it’s not coronavirus and not sure what it is, it is still advised that you wear a face mask and not neglect other important things you can do, such as washing your hands for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home when you are sick, covering your cough/sneeze with a tissue and properly disposing of it, and cleaning and disinfecting touched objects and surfaces frequently.
