(Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.) — 260 cases have been confirmed positive for Covid-19 from Dec. 8-9, 2021, bringing the CNMI total to 1,774 cases since March 28, 2020. The individuals have been isolated and are actively monitored. As of Dec. 9, 2021, there have been 567 recoveries made, 914 active cases, and 2 deaths of the cases identified since Oct. 28, 2021.
As of Dec. 10, 2021, there are 14 individuals hospitalized as a result of Covid-19 (10 unvaccinated, 2 vaccinated, 2 partially vaccinated; 0 on a ventilator); and 1 was discharged from the Alternative Care Site.
Unvaccinated individuals are at risk of serious illness from Covid-19, and unvaccinated individuals spread the virus at a higher rate than vaccinated individuals, thereby increasing the spread and risk of serious illness toward other unvaccinated individuals.
Vaccines are the best protection against the highly transmissible virus, and are readily available at the multi-purpose center, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Register for Covid-19 vaccines at www.vaccinatecnmi.com
Individuals age 18 or older are now eligible to avail themselves of a booster shot; 16-17-year-olds can avail of a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot.
CHCC highly encourages unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated or get a booster shot against Covid-19 to help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Data from small clinical trials show that vaccine effectiveness against Covid-19 infection is waning after the primary series, but protection remains high against severe disease and hospitalization.
Of the 260 cases, 174 were identified on Dec. 8, and 86 were identified on Dec. 9; 105 were identified via contact tracing, 149 were identified via community testing, and 6 were identified via travel testing.
The vaccination statuses of the 260 cases identified are pending verification.
A total of 891 Covid-19 vaccine shots were administered on Dec. 10, 2021, resulting in 90% of the CNMI’s eligible population being fully vaccinated, which affords the community more protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Since Oct. 28, 2021, there have been 1,483 new cases, of which 815 were identified via contact tracing, 649 were identified via community testing, and 19 were identified via travel testing.
A total of 1,463 Covid-19 tests were conducted from Dec. 8-9, 2021, which comprises travel testing and surveillance testing.
To register for community-based testing, visit https://covidtesting.chcc.health
No code is required to register. If there are no dates showing, it means all spots have been filled. More dates will be announced.
Practice the 3 W’s, especially around individuals outside of your household: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. While you wait to get tested or for your test results, you should follow the 3 W’s, stay at home as much as possible, and limit your contact with others.
When possible, follow additional U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on how to protect yourself and others: avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces; cover coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily; be alert for symptoms daily; and register to get tested for Covid-19.
The CHCC Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts of the newly confirmed cases, and this effort will continue until all probable cases are identified and tested.
“Our contact tracers will reach out to you if you are deemed high risk. The associated risk of infection depends on the level of exposure, which will, in turn, determine the type of monitoring. Establishing the level of exposure can be difficult and requires investigation.”
If you have concerns regarding a possible exposure to a positive case, call our contact tracers no later than 9 p.m. at (670) 285-1942, 286-1710, or 286-1711.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, new loss of taste or smell, etc.), see your provider or call the CHCC Tele-Triage hotline at 233-2067.
