GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres, the CNMI Covid-19 Task Force, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. announced on Saturday the islands’ sixth Covid-19-related death.
The individual was an unvaccinated CNMI resident who tested positive for Covid-19 in November. The individual was isolated, and admitted to the alternate care site at Kanoa Resort before passing away just this month.
“It will never be easy to deliver this news,” CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said.
“We will provide necessary support to the family and will continue to provide the support our whole community needs,” she added.
She urged community members to “continue to wear your mask, watch your distance, wash your hands, and do other preventive measures. We need to start living ‘Covid-19 safe.’ Act as if you actually have the infection, and even when your test results come back negative, this is still great practice while we are in this pandemic.”
Governor Torres, for his part, said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones [of the deceased]. This is another reminder for our people who are not vaccinated to get vaccinated. Vaccines save lives from this unforgiving disease. We must also continue to protect each other by practicing the 3W’s”: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance.
Also on Saturday, CHCC reported that 260 cases had been confirmed positive for Covid-19 from Dec. 8-9, 2021, bringing the CNMI total to 1,774 cases since March 28, 2020.
“The individuals have been isolated and are actively monitored,” CHCC stated. “As of Dec. 9, 2021, there had been 567 recoveries made, 914 active cases, and 2 deaths of the cases identified since Oct. 28, 2021.”
As of Dec. 10, 2021, CHCC said there were 14 individuals hospitalized as a result of Covid-19 (10 unvaccinated, 2 vaccinated, 2 partially vaccinated; 0 on a ventilator); and 1 was discharged from the Alternative Care Site.
Since Oct. 28, 2021, CHCC said, there have been 1,483 new cases, of which 815 were identified via contact tracing, 649 were identified via community testing, and 19 were identified via travel testing.
A total of 1,463 Covid-19 tests were conducted from Dec. 8-9, 2021, which comprises travel testing and surveillance testing, CHCC said.
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, CHCC said.
If you have concerns regarding a possible exposure to a positive case, call 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.
