More medical supplies arrive

An Asia Pacific Airline charter flight that arrived with medical supplies from the U.S. mainland last Tuesday is unloaded at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. Here, a CTSI Logistics employee waits for the cargo to get loaded onto his truck to deliver the supplies to either the Commonwealth Health Center on Navy Hill or Kanoa Resort in Susupe. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

A charter flight from the U.S. mainland arrived last Tuesday, bringing with it more medical supplies for the Commonwealth Health Care Corp.

The medical supplies, which were shipped from Long Beach, California through the CTSI Logistics, arrived on April 20, to boost the CNMI’s efforts against the spread of COVID-19 and the capacity of CHCC’s laboratory.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres took to social media, via a livestream Facebook video, to let the community know that CHCC received 25 ventilators, medical supplies, and UV lights for infection control.

Torres said the supplies and equipment will be stationed at the alternate care site at Kanoa Resort in Susupe. Additionally, the target date for the alternate care site to be finished is May 7, 2020.

“We have ordered some supplies that will be coming in every week to hopefully fill the requirement and get the facility up and running,” said Torres. The CNMI should be receiving more ventilators within this week.

Torres raises more attention to social distancing, proper hygiene, and to “stay away from the man’amko [the elderly],” who are reportedly more vulnerable to COVID-19.

According to COVID-19 Task Force chair Warren Villagomez, alternate care site will be specifically for intensive care unit capabilities, all persons under investigation, and COVID-19 treatment.

“We’re very happy for that, at this moment in time, we are responding to COVID-19 situation in the CNMI,” Villagomez said in an interview with television station KSPN 2. “With all the efforts from the governor, lieutenant governor, and CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muna, we came together and made sure that we brought all the materials in time to build on and finish what we are expecting in two/three months.”

Villagomez stated that the alternate care site will have a pharmacy room, doctors room, conference room, and the beds to assist individuals in need of critical care.

Medical field hospital

What was called the medical field hospital is now officially called the Medical Care and Treatment Site that is located at the upper parking lot of the Commonwealth Health Center.

Brig. Gen. Tracy L. Smith, commander of the 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support), who was on island over the weekend, visited the Medical Care and Treatment Site to see what the U.S. Department of Defense could help the CNMI with in its fight against the coronavirus. Smith stated in a TV interview that she feels confident that the government is prepared should the number of confirmed COVID-19 positive increases in the CNMI.

“With the governor and [COVID-19] Task Force aggressive efforts, we are very impressed with the MCATS, and the progress of the alternative care site,” said Smith.

Five Star Builders is the contractor that is building the temporary hospital. The target date for the completion of the MCATS is today.

According to Torres, of the 50 beds that the CNMI received earlier this month, 40 will be designated to the MCATS.

COVID-19 in Guam

It’s been four days since Guam has had a confirmed COVID-19 positive case.

“Our numbers over the past few days have been promising and have shown that our measures are working. They were implemented early and aggressively—guided by science, sound medical advice, and what we learned from other countries,” said Guam’s Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero in a Facebook post.

Guam’s cases are at a steady 136 confirmed cases with 114 recoveries and six deaths.

“So much of our recovery depends on getting it right. Opening [up the island] too soon can mean a resurgence [in] new infections. In that event, we must be ready to identify, test, and isolate all new cases and trace every contact they made to stop further transmission,” said Leon Guerrero.

Guam’s medical team continues to monitor, treat, and isolate the remaining cases.

“Living through these social isolation measures is not easy. But I know some in our community have been affected more than others, that for them this isn’t just a public health issue but an economic one too,” said Leon Guerrero.

According to the Joint Information Center in Guam, “COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The cumulative total from all labs will be reported on a nightly basis. Updated results will be provided this evening, once all tests from today are completed.”