CHCC: Zero hospitalizations, 7 new cases due to COVID-19

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. said as of Sept. 26, 2022 there were zero individuals hospitalized as a result of COVID-19.

Aside from zero hospitalizations from the period Sept. 18 to 24, CHCC also reported that seven additional individuals have been confirmed positive for COVID-19, bringing the CNMI total to 13,171 cases; some duplicates were removed. 

Of the seven cases recently identified:
■ 3 on Sept. 19, 2022
■ 1 on Sept. 21, 2022
■ 2 on Sept. 22, 2022
■ 1 on Sept. 23, 2022

As of Sept. 23, 2022, a total of 24,805 COVID-19 additional/booster vaccine shots have been administered, which equals to 55% of the eligible population; 478 updated COVID-19 booster vaccines have been administered, which equals 1.1% of the eligible population.
A total of 160 COVID-19 tests were conducted from Sept. 18 to 24 2022:

■ 9 on Sept. 18, 2022
■ 39 on Sept. 19, 2022
■ 30 on Sept. 20, 2022
■ 24 on Sept. 21, 2022
■ 20 on Sept. 22, 2022
■ 22 on Sept. 23, 2022
■ 16 on Sept. 24, 2022

Of the total cases identified, as of Sept. 24, 2022:

■ 13,124 recoveries
■ 7 active cases
■ 40 COVID-19-related deaths

Identified via:

■ 11,995 community testing
■ 1,176 travel testingLive COVID-19 safe  by wearing your mask based on your personal level of risk; washing your hands; watching your distance; avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces; covering coughs and sneezes; cleaning and disinfecting high -touch surfaces daily; be alert for symptoms daily; and get tested for COVID-19.

CHCC said it will pause weekly public reporting of COVID-19 cases but will update the residents of the CNMI should significant developments occur and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the CNMI.

Taking appropriate precautions will help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination. For more information on how to get COVID-19 primary series or updated booster shots, call (670) 236-8745.

Free COVID-19 testing is available by registering at https://covidtesting.chcc.health.

Residents of the CNMI who test positive for COVID-19 may be eligible for treatment by calling (670) 234-8950, ext. 5068, or reporting their positive test result online at www.staysafecnmi.com/self-reporting as soon as possible after testing positive. Residents requesting COVID-19 treatment should fill out the medical questionnaire in the form to get assessed as soon as possible.

Reporting a positive test result online also allows residents to obtain a certificate of quarantine completion, which employers/individuals may use as documentation of a positive test result.

If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.

The CNMI is in COVID-19 Community Level Low. Guidelines for residents of the CNMI to consider while we are in COVID-19 Community Level Low:

■ Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses.Maintain ventilation improvements.
■ Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
■ If you test positive for or suspect you have COVID-19, follow recommendations for isolation.
■ Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your home.
■ If you have no symptoms, end isolation after day 5.
■ If you have symptoms and your symptoms are improving, end isolation after day 5 if you are fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).If you have symptoms and your symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until you are fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.

■ Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
■ Do not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and pugua.
■ Monitor your symptoms.If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, follow recommendations for precautions at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html.
■ If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

■ People considered high risk (e.g., history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or cancer, or over the age of 65), immunocompromised persons, or unvaccinated individuals are at risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals spread the virus at a higher rate than vaccinated individuals, thereby increasing the spread and risk of serious illness toward other unvaccinated individuals.

The CHCC continues to encourage the community to get vaccinated if they have not done so, or get their updated booster shot if they are eligible to help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, or death. (PR)