WHILE the rest of the U.S. detects more cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the CNMI is bracing itself for the new variant’s “arrival.”
Health officials on Tuesday said while the Delta variant had been identified in the Commonwealth, the Omicron variant had not been detected.
World Health Organization medical epidemiologist Dr. Ali Khan noted that under the direction of Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna and the CNMI Covid-19 Task Force, there has been an expansion of testing through the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services fire stations.
In addition, there has also been an increase in internal testing using PCR-based tests.
“We are getting ready for an increased surge. There is also an examination of all access beds available here at the hospital and the alternate care site,” Khan said.
“However, the hope is that as the increasing number of people get vaccinated, we will be able to temper any surge from a new variant.
CHCC CEO Muna, for her part, said there are daily checks among the healthcare providers, to ensure that they have the support needed to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
“I don’t want to say [that] we’re ‘comfortable’ because we’re always worried for every single person’s health and at this point, really, we’re preparing for even more cases and more hospitalizations. I would say that we’re not really ‘comfortable’…. Even with enough beds, and we’re working on that, and on everything possible for elevated hospitalizations — at the end of the day, it’s always troubling to see double digits. That’s just too many. We want to make sure that we have the treatment.” she said.
She attributed the CNMI’s high vaccination rate to the community coming together to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
However, the rise in hospitalizations and deaths is a grave concern, she said.
Health officials continue to encourage community members to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and to obtain their booster shots when they are due.
“It is the holiday season,” Muna said. “We want you to be able to spend [it] with your loved ones and welcome the new year. Hopefully this coming year won’t be as bad as this year. That’s all we’re saying. I really hope that our system will not be that overwhelmed to the point where we have more patients than we can handle.”
Hospital beds are prepared at the Commonwealth Health Center amid a surge of Covid-19 positive cases in the island community.
