FOUR positive Covid-19 cases were identified on Tinian, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation reported on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
The first of the four, an employee at the Tinian courthouse, was identified on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
The CNMI Supreme Court ordered the immediate closure of the courthouse for disinfection.
“We do have one index case on Tinian with a second case in the same household. Through contact tracing, we found two other cases, two different households. Those individuals have been identified and have been isolated,” said CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna.
She added that discussions are ongoing with the Tinian leadership to determine the next steps to be taken should there be a rise in the number of cases on Tinian.
Similar discussions are also ongoing with the Rota leadership, she added.
Both delegations are discussing the possibility of opening a quarantine site on each of the two islands, Muna said.
“At this point right now, since our community case [on Oct. 28], we saw a surge of over 500 cases. We’d like to remind the community that no other medicine or intervention has been nearly as effective in preventing severe illness and death as the Covid-19 vaccines,” she added.
Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, for his part, said the contact tracing team has been up all night on Tinian since the first new case was identified on Tuesday.
“This was inevitable. It was meant to happen. At this point in time, it’s happening on Tinian. We have the first community spread. It’s always been our position that we have to continue to practice the three Ws and practice the Covid-19 protocols,” he said.
“I do know the frustration. People are frustrated, panicking, and calling in [to offer] their own recommendations, but as a government entity, we still have to follow protocol. I do apologize to our community if their sentiments are not being heard right now, but we leave these responsibilities to the Covid-19 Task Force. We trust that what they are doing is what’s right.”
Mayor Aldan said that there are still discussions on whether or not to send the Covid-19 patients to Saipan to be treated, or to establish a quarantine or isolation site on Tinian.
He said if residents just remain within their homes and observe social distancing, then there would be no need for them to be sent to Saipan for quarantine or isolation, far away from their loved ones.
He said he would be raising these concerns with the Covid-19 Task Force.
“These…are outside of the protocol. If we deviate from the protocol, I’m just afraid that it’s going to be all on me. I’ll be the one to carry all of the requirements to make sure that people stay inside, don’t go to the stores, and don’t go to parties. That’s a big responsibility for me. I just wanted to share that,” the mayor said.
He noted that there are typically regular flights to Tinian every half an hour, including flights carrying tourists, which, he said, could pose an issue if inbound passengers are required to be tested prior to arrival on Tinian.
Aldan said he would need to discuss this further with private partners and community members, adding that he is considering having such testing conducted.
“If something happens to the airlines, we’ll…have a hard time,” he added.
On Wednesday, Star Marianas Air Inc. suspended all commercial flights until further notice.
Together with the administration, the CNMI Covid-19 Task Force and CHCC, Aldan urges the Tinian population to get tested and vaccinated against Covid-19.
“Think of your family. Come in and take your shots,” he said.
Free Covid-19 testing at the Tinian Health Center is available from Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
If an individual has concerns regarding possible exposure to a positive case, they are encouraged to contact the CHCC contact tracing team no later than 9 p.m. at (670) 285-1947, 286-1710, or 286-1729.
If an individual is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, or new loss of taste or smell, they are encouraged to contact their provider or call CHCC’s Tele-Triage hotline at (670) 233-2067.
“In the meantime, this notice is to remind community members of the critical importance of practicing the three Ws at all times: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. This practice will help stop the spread of the virus within our small community. I continue to encourage individuals ages 5 years and older to get vaccinated,” the mayor said.
To register for vaccination on Tinian, visit vaccinatecnmi.com or contact the Tinian Health Center at (670) 433-9333/37/9263 for assistance.
For individuals interested in the booster shots, contact Tessa Diaz at the Tinian Health Center to set up an appointment.
“Let us all take personal responsibility for the health and safety of ourselves, our families, friends, and our small tight-knit community by practicing the three Ws and getting vaccinated. Stay safe, Tinian, and may God continue to protect us all,” Aldan said.
