By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
AN inmate in the Department of Corrections’ Outreach Program was identified with suspected chickenpox earlier this month, prompting swift action by Corrections officials and public health authorities.
According to an official release issued Saturday, the inmate reported symptoms to the Corrections Medical Unit on Dec. 15 that began on Dec. 9. After evaluation by a physician assistant and a registered nurse, the symptoms were deemed consistent with chickenpox. Within four hours, Corrections notified the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation’s Public Health Division and initiated precautionary protocols.
Outreach Program assignments were suspended, and affected inmates were housed in a separate pod to reduce exposure. Isolation and quarantine procedures were enforced to protect inmates, staff, and the broader community, Corrections said.
Officials worked with CHCC’s epidemiologist to establish a symptom timeline, identifying Dec. 9–23 as the potential exposure period. Contact tracing was conducted, and Corrections provided daily updates on any reported symptoms among inmates or staff.
Sanitation and disinfection were carried out across housing units, common areas, and laundry facilities. Facility movement was restricted where possible, and both inmates and officers received guidance on hand hygiene and infection prevention. Officers who reported symptoms were instructed to quarantine at home under CHCC monitoring.
Educational outreach was also prioritized, with inmates and staff briefed on recognizing symptoms, understanding transmission, and following medical reporting procedures.
All Outreach Program inmates have since completed quarantine and medical assessments. The inmate with the suspected case remains in isolation until CHCC confirms recovery and rules out further risk of transmission.
Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres praised the coordinated response, stating, “We are committed to the health and safety of our inmates, staff, and community, and this swift response demonstrates our dedication to proactive public health measures.”
Torres urged the public to remain vigilant about communicable diseases and to report symptoms promptly to healthcare providers, emphasizing that early reporting and timely action are critical to protecting the Commonwealth.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
