CHCC expands availability of COVID-19 info
The Commonwealth Health Care Corp. has expanded ways for the CNMI to learn more about COVID-19 and more information for people who are diagnosed with other illnesses and pregnant women.
CHCC has provided a link for concerned citizens who have more questions about COVID-19, http://bit.ly/who-covid19-whatsapp. The link will send the viewer to a WhatsApp page that will allow the user to ask the World Health Organization directly. The service will provide the latest information and guidance from WHO on COVID-19 that was first reported last Dec. 31.
The CHCC website itself has a dedicated page for information about COVID-19, https://chcc.gov.mp/coronavirusinformation.php.
Separately, CHCC’s Facebook statement stated that there is no specific information about the risk of COVID-19 with people who are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency viruses. The risk from immune suppression is not known, but with other viral respiratory infections, the risk for people with HIV getting severely ill is greatest in:
• People with a low CD4 cell count
• People not on an HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy or ART)
• People with HIV can also be at increased risk of getting risk of getting ill with COVID-19 based on age and other medical conditions.
People diagnosed with HIV can protect themselves by monitoring for symptoms like coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and seeking medical attention if you need it. Also visit the COVID-19 Health Tent at the Commonwealth Health Center’s main entrance. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
WHO has also shared that women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they feel comfortable with it. It’s highly suggested that should a woman breastfeed, they must practice respiratory hygiene and wear a mask, wash hands before and after touching the baby, and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces.
Women who are pregnant can protect themselves against the virus by social distancing, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue and wash hands frequently.
Health care services update:
• Immunization Clinic, for vaccinations, visit CHCC Family Care Clinic.
• Tuberculosis/Hansen’s Prevention Program, patients of TB Program will be contacted by program staff for more information.
• HIV/STD Prevention Program, patients of HIV/STD Program will be contacted by program staff for more information.
• Breast & Cervical Screening Program and Nicotine Cessation Program is temporarily unavailable. The CHCC Women’s Clinic, Family Care Clinic, and Children’s Clinic are still open. All patients must be screened before entering CHCC.
For more info, contact the COVID-19 Info line at 285-1352/1542/1672/1854 or call the Mental HealthCare line 285-1856/1857.