COMMONWEALTH Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna on Friday said the CNMI’s 60% vaccination rate is “very significant.”
“Although this is not herd immunity, we feel that this is very significant,” she said. “At the end of the day, we are also looking at some of the data…from inbound travelers, especially with the requirement of vaccination, and the process is going very smoothly.”
She added, “Again, we just want to make sure that…our borders will continue to have that stringent process [so] even though you are fully vaccinated, we will still test you, and test you again on day five.”
This process protects the CNMI, she added.
“We will continue to do that. What is happening in the community [meanwhile] with the vaccination rate increasing without a community case here in the CNMI for more than 28 days is really significant, so hats off to everyone,” she said.
Muna reiterated that protecting the CNMI community remains a priority.
“This has not changed. We will continue to monitor everything and ensure that if there is an action we need to take, we will take it immediately,” she said.
Moreover, the CNMI continues to work toward achieving herd immunity or an 80% vaccination rate.
Muna said different people may have different reasons for choosing to get vaccinated or to not get vaccinated.
“We respect that. That’s fine. We are just trying to reach herd immunity for a safe CNMI and, again, 60%, like I said, is a big deal,” she added.
She said people should take time to make an informed decision before getting vaccinated.
With regard to mask-wearing, she said that it was never a mandate but is part of a public health message along with watching your distance and washing hands.
“It is definitely a message that we want to continue to send, but at the same time, if you have a fully vaccinated meeting for example, you can take off your mask,” Muna said.
On Friday, CHCC and the Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force announced that the CNMI had moved to Community Vulnerability Level Green from Blue. The other levels are Yellow, Orange and Red.
According to the governor’s office, Community Vulnerability Level Green corresponds to a Covid-19 rating between 1.80 and 2.00 or greater.
The rating of 0 to 0.9 corresponds to Level Red; 1.00 to 1.29 to Level Orange; 1.30 to 1.49 to Level Yellow; and 1.50 to 1.79 to Level Blue.
Level Green indicates that “the levels of positive cases for Covid-19 and the risk to public health are low as long as Points of Entry mitigation continues as necessary and until the governor rescinds the Emergency Declaration for the Commonwealth,” the governor’s office stated.
Also on Friday, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres announced the official cancellation of curfew hours and termination of reduced business hours for the CNMI, effective Friday, June 18, 2021.
Esther Muna
