AFTER a long hiatus, a team from South Korea will once again help the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. conduct community-based Covid-19 tests, CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said on Wednesday.
All slots for the upcoming week have been filled due to popular demand, she added.
In addition to the community-based testing, she said CHCC is also responsible for testing inbound and outbound passengers.
“We’re running a hospital and a public health system,” she added.
“When we make changes to the protocols…we need to make sure that we continue to do what we do and to do it effectively and efficiently.”
Muna said it is difficult for CHCC to provide community-based tests on a more routine basis in addition to vaccinations, testing at the borders, and running a hospital.
“These are the things that we have to be mindful of,” she added.
She said as of Wednesday, community-based testing had yielded negative results.
More guidance from CHCC will be forthcoming regarding community-based testing, including testing sites and schedules, she added.
The CNMI began community-based testing on April 28, 2020 at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
Testing was suspended in August because the members of the laboratory team from South Korea had to leave the island before the expiration of their 90-day visas.
The Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force and CHCC are reminding the public that getting tested for Covid-19 does not improve one’s response to the illness, nor does it reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting the disease.
People who are tested and have a negative result are still vulnerable to the virus.
Hence, CNMI community members are encouraged to continue to practice the 3 W’s: “wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.”
The Commonwealth Health Center is the CNMI’s only hospital.
Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
