According to task force chairman Warren Villagomez, they are currently reassessing additional resources to be able to bring the tests to the villages.
The task force on Friday announced the temporary suspension of community-based testing.
The last tests before the suspension were conducted on Saturday at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, the Benjamin T. Manglona/Rota International Airport, Rota Health Center and Tinian Health Center.
As of June 14, CHCC had collected a total of 8,169 specimens for testing from the three major islands — Saipan, 7,155; Tinian, 458; and Rota, 556.
When the testing-initiative is resumed, “it will be a trailer-driven mobilization, and we will set up shop at certain sites,” Villagomez said, adding that they will reach out to all community groups.
The resumption of community-based testing will be announced soon, Villagomez said.
He added that the testing sites at the airports will be discontinued but the Commonwealth Ports Authority is ready to accommodate the task force if tests need to be conducted at the airports again in the future.
For his part, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said CHCC and the task force are considering “strategic areas” in the villages as possible locations for the tests.
These include youth centers and business establishments, the governor said.
“We can’t be in all the villages at the same time because of lack of manpower. But we will maximize the manpower we have as we go out to the villages,” the governor added.
Villagomez said they still have enough test kits for those who have not been tested yet. “Our goal is to continue testing and prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he added.
He reminded community members to do their part by adhering to all of the government’s directives — avoid large gatherings, maintain a six-foot distance from one another, and always wear a face mask when in public.
The task force, he added, continues to operate two quarantine facilities: the Pacific Islands Club and Kanoa Resort which has also been designated as an alternate care site.
Villagomez said Kanoa Resort recently went through “a rigorous fire code inspection.”
“We are proud that we have met the guidelines and the parameters to have an adequate medical facility that can provide services when needed for Covid-19 care,” he added.
At the Kanoa alternate care site, Villagomez said medical equipment has been installed “and we’re now doing a bench check.”
As of Sunday, the CNMI had recorded 30 Covid-19 cases, two deaths, 19 recoveries and nine active cases.
