The Commonwealth Health Care Corp has submitted a second specimen to a laboratory in Hawaii for COVID-19 testing.<\/p>\n
According to a CHCC statement yesterday, the patient is considered low priority as he\/she does not meet the full U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition of a COVID-19 person under investigation. CHCC is currently taking a precautionary stance in order to protect the CNMI community.<\/p>\n
The statement also clarifies that this does not mean that the CNMI has a confirmed case, and CHCC will provide more information and updates on the situation as soon as it is available.<\/p>\n
According to CHCC spokesperson Zoe Travis, the CNMI still remains coronavirus-free, but the islands are still at a high risk for experiencing an outbreak.<\/p>\n
The first time CHCC submitted a specimen for testing to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia was last Feb. 11 and the patient was also a low interest patient, meaning that the patient didn\u2019t meet the full CDC criteria of a person who has the virus. Last Feb. 21, CHCC received confirmation from the CDC that the sample was negative.<\/p>\n
Until then, CHCC reminds everyone that the best way to protect oneself and others from the virus and other illnesses is to practice good basic health and hygiene such as:<\/p>\n
-Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer <\/p>\n
-Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands<\/p>\n
-Avoiding close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick<\/p>\n
-Covering your cough\/sneeze with a tissue and properly disposing of it, <\/p>\n
-Cleaning and disinfecting touched objects and surfaces frequently.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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