(Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.) — 116 cases have been confirmed positive for Covid-19 on Dec. 16, 2021, bringing the CNMI total to 2,321 cases since March 28, 2020. The individuals have been isolated and are actively monitored.
As of Dec. 16, 2021, there had been 1,106 recoveries made, 921 active cases, and 3 deaths of the cases identified since Oct. 28, 2021.
As of Dec. 17, 2021, there were 17 individuals hospitalized as a result of Covid-19 (12 unvaccinated, 5 vaccinated; 1 on a ventilator).
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 themselves 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 116 cases, 71 were identified via contact tracing, 34 were identified via community testing, and 11 were identified via travel testing.
The vaccination statuses of the 116 cases identified are pending verification.
A total of 612 Covid-19 vaccine shots were administered on Dec. 17, 2021, resulting in 90.9% 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 2,030 new cases, of which 1,105 were identified via contact tracing, 893 were identified via community testing, and 32 were identified via travel testing.
A total of 844 Covid-19 tests were conducted on Dec. 16, 2021, which comprises travel testing and surveillance testing but does not include DFEMS 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.
While you wait to get tested or for your test results, stay at home as much as possible and limit your contact with others. Live Covid-19 safe: wear your mask; wash your hands; watch your distance; avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces; cover coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily; be alert for symptoms daily; and 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.
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 the 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.
