Previous Story
PIC ID’d as possible quarantine site
|
Posted on Apr 02 2020
Pacific Islands Club Saipan has been closed off in preparation for quarantining individuals experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms. (KIMBERLY BAUTISTA)
The Pacific Islands Club Saipan has been identified as a new possible quarantine site to hold individuals who are considered “person under investigation” for COVID-19.
According to Gloria Cavanagh, PIC Saipan general manager, the CNMI Government reached out to the Micronesia Resort Inc., the mother company of PIC and Kensington Hotel Saipan, to request that their facilities be used as an additional quarantine site.
Cavanagh said that no contract has been signed yet as of yesterday and nothing has been finalized.
Cavanagh said MRI is set to decide on the CNMI government’s request today.
Cavanagh added that PIC has already been closed and prepared in the event MRI decides to accept the request to turn the facility into a quarantine site.
The current quarantine sites in the CNMI for COVID-19 PUIs and confirmed cases are Kanoa Resort and Mariana Resort & Spa. The Century Hotel in Garapan was also used as a quarantine site early in March to isolate incoming travelers from areas that have COVID-19 positive cases.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, the CNMI COVID-19 Task Force has been arranging for temporary isolation facilities for travelers, through the business community, since mid-March, to protect the limited resources of the Commonwealth Health Center, as well as to not compromise its essential operations.
In a Joint Information Center statement issued by the CNMI’s COVID-19 Task Force, CHCC continues to work with the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force to expand designated isolation areas to closely monitor the wellbeing of individuals with symptoms.
As of yesterday, the CNMI has submitted 31 specimens for COVID-19 testing to the Guam Public Health Laboratory. Of the 31 specimens, 19 have been processed, resulting in six positive cases and 13 negative cases. CHC awaits the results of 12 specimens.
The four new cases include the 70-year-old male who passed away on March 30, and three females, ages 14, 60, and 77 years old.
The CNMI currently has six confirmed cases, two male and three female, and one COVID-19 related death.
