One added to NMI recoveries

Another coronavirus case joined the list of recoveries yesterday, raising the CNMI’s total number of recoveries to 13.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. declined to release more details about the person who has recovered, citing privacy laws, but press secretary Kevin Bautista said that patients are reassessed and evaluated by CHCC’s medical team while they’re in isolation before being listed as recovered.

He also pointed out that people who recover from coronavirus infection could still be re-infected. “People who are tested and have a negative result are still vulnerable to the virus,” he added.

CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muña also cautioned that an individual who had been isolated and recovers doesn’t mean that may now walk freely in the community because they might think that they won›t be getting the virus anymore.

“The bottom line is, when people are recovered, they’re released,” said Muña. “You can’t imprison them forever.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends continuing wearing face masks to protect not only yourself, but everyone else in the community.

To date, the CNMI has a total of 21 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 13 recoveries, six active cases, and two deaths.

Hospital services

CHCC recently announced that some hospital services have reopened, and that new and improved processes for speedy check-in and signages have been put in place throughout the Commonwealth Health Center to ensure proper social distancing.

Some modifications to services include:

Elective or non-emergency surgeries for patients are being scheduled.

Testing requests for outbound travelers which may need lab-certification for entry to their destination are available at the Medical Care and Treatment Site #13 on the CHCC upper level by appointment only.

Children’s Clinic and Family Care Clinic have expanded services to include tele-visits using video chat or phone calls.

Check-in kiosks for Children’s Clinic and Family Care Clinic allow for speedy check-in and social distancing, and each kiosk self-disinfects using UV light after each use.

Additionally, entrances to the hospital will remain limited, and screening upon entry, including temperature checks, will continue.

For hospitalizations, CHC is only allowing one visitor per patient each hour between 9am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm. Patients and visitors will be asked to wear masks, which can be provided if needed.

Other CHC rules

One partner allowed for labor/delivery patients. Visitors rules apply after delivery (one visitor per patient between 9am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm)

One parent or caregiver will be allowed for pediatric patients. Parent or will be allowed to leave the room or be replaced by another person.

For family of patients at end-of-life care, visiting hours may be adjusted and will be cleared by screeners.

Visitors rules are subject to change.

“CHCC would like to assure the community that it is taking every precaution to ensure that each of its facilities are safe and healthy environments for patients. Patients are urged to continue to seek regular health care services, including primary care of chronic conditions and any urgent care needed,” said a CHCC statement.

COVID-19 in Guam

The Department of Public Health and Social Services tested 28 individuals for COVID-19 yesterday and all 28 tested negative.

To date, there have been 154 cases confirmed cases in Guam, with six deaths and 126 released from isolation.

Cases are released from isolation under the following conditions: resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms and negative results from two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.

Cases that test positive for COVID-19 through follow-up testing return to active isolation. All remaining cases are in isolation.