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NMI’s COVID-19 total at 184
So far, 33,243 tested for COVID-19
One more person has been confirmed positive for COVID-19 from passenger arrival testing, raising the CNMI’s total number of cases to 184 since March 28, 2020.
The affected person was identified by travel screening and confirmed diagnosis through testing on arrival last July 4, 2021, according to a Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. statement yesterday that was also immediately posted on CHCC’s Facebook page.
It said the individual has been moved to the designated isolation area for close monitoring and that CHCC’s Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts of the new confirmed cases, including passengers on the same flight.
Meanwhile, CHCC affirmed that it continues to do community-based testing for COVID-19 at Kanoa Resort, one of the designated quarantine facility.
Chief of Ancillary Services Jesse Tudela said in an email that a total of 12,776 individuals on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have already been tested through community-based testing, or CBT, from April 28, 2020, to June 30 this year.
In all, including boat passengers/crew who took part in border screening tests and CBT, a total of 33,243 individuals in the CNMI have already been tested for COVID-19.
The last time CHCC did community-based testing was last June 30 at Kanoa Resort. According to Tudela, CBT has been offered weekly every Wednesday since March 15 this year.
Even if the CNMI is already beyond the 60% threshold of its eligible population being fully vaccinated as of June 30, Tudela still sees the importance of community testing. Tudela advises the community to continue to practice due diligence to greatly reduce the chances of spread.
“Community-based testing allows for the surveillance of COVID-19 within the community. It is an important tool in our fight against this virus. We would like to remind residents to remain cautious when interacting with folks whose vaccination status is unknown. Remember the 3 W’s: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance,” said Tudela.
As of June 30, on Saipan 36 positive cases of COVID-19 were identified through community testing, and 148 positive cases were identified through incoming travel screening.
