2 more positive cases

While two more people tested positive for COVID-19, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Muña said they are considering easing the quarantine facility restrictions while still following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance.

According to CHCC, two additional incoming travelers have been confirmed positive for COVID-19, which brings the total cases up to 164. CHCC said the individuals were identified through travel screening and was confirmed positive on the fifth-day testing. Also, both are asymptomatic.

CHCC said the individuals have been moved to the designated isolation area for close monitoring, while CHCC’s Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team has initiated contact tracing for contacts with the highest risk of exposure.

Meanwhile, speaking at a media briefing last Friday, Muña said CHCC, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, and the administration are considering and evaluating easing the quarantine restrictions while still complying with CDC guidance.

Muña did not elaborate, saying CHCC will be announcing an update on quarantine restrictions later this week.

CHCC continues community outreach

Muña said CHCC will continue to do community outreach for those who have yet to be vaccinated.

So far, CHCC went to the Systems of Care in San Antonio to accommodate those who are living in the southern part of the island and the Kagman Community Center in Kagman to assist those who are in the eastern part of the island.

Muña said they are doing outreaches for those who have “barriers” that are holding them back from getting the vaccine. CHCC will soon be going to the northern part of the island to assist those who are in Tanapag, San Roque and As Matuis, and then going to the Northern Marianas College. This is on top of the plan to use the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center as a vaccination site.

Muña said a lot of the information CHCC gets are transmitted to CDC and the White House. “We report on ethnicity, on everything about an individual so we have a good data collection to transmit to the feds,” said Muña.

According to task force chair Warren Villagomez, a dry run will happen at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on April 28. Villagomez said they want to ensure that details and logistics are in place for when the HHS and federal team vaccinators arrive.

“Our goal is to get through our people, as well as making sure that we avail the services on the south part of the island,” said Villagomez.