{"id":323000,"date":"2020-05-15T06:02:50","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T20:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=323000"},"modified":"2020-05-15T06:02:50","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T20:02:50","slug":"mass-testing-to-be-widened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/mass-testing-to-be-widened\/","title":{"rendered":"Mass testing to be widened"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. will be taking their community-based testing initiative into the community to test residents for COVID-19.<\/p>\n

According to Esther Muna, CHCC chief executive officer, there is no fixed date yet on when it\u2019s going to happen but CHCC will be going to specific areas to administer the test for the virus.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe lost two lives, and this is very important for us to ensure that we don\u2019t lose any more lives, and don\u2019t lose families and [have them suffer] because of a lost life,\u201d said Mu\u00f1a during a news briefing Wednesday at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan in Garapan.<\/p>\n

Mu\u00f1a said that, as the virus continues to evolve, the idea is for CHCC and the Governor\u2019s COVID-19 Task Force to figure out what\u2019s really in the community, which is significant because this will help CHCC conduct effective community surveillance. \u201cHow can we convince you all if we\u2019re going to open up the community with restrictive measures if we don\u2019t know what\u2019s in the community?\u201d she added, highlighting why it\u2019s important to know if community transmission is happening.<\/p>\n

The results of the community-based testing and the contact tracing being carried out by CHCC is what guides CHCC in what it can do and what can be recommended to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Mu\u00f1a said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thank everyone [the community] for their contribution, their patience, and understanding of the restrictions that the government has [imposed],\u201d said Mu\u00f1a. \u201cIt is really going to protect everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stated that it\u2019s important to protect all businesses, employees, customers, and the community for the sake of everyone\u2019s safety. \u201cThe testing capabilities and the adequate personal protective equipment to protect health care workers so that they can provide health care services to you is also significant,\u201d said Mu\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

She pointed out that it is not common for all jurisdictions to have the testing capabilities that the CNMI has, and that \u201cwe are very fortunate to be able to test the entire community and then some.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also applauded the CNMI public for its role in keeping the CNMI\u2019s number of infections low. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have to tell you what to do, you did it. \u2026Pat yourself in the back for all the innovative ways you have put in place and it\u2019s because you care, and we care too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Additionally, Mu\u00f1a stated that all precautionary measures, such as social distancing, proper hygiene, wearing a mask, etc., should still be followed until there is a vaccine.<\/p>\n

More PPEs<\/p>\n

Rep. Janet U. Maratita took to Facebook via a live video to announce that CHCC received another round of medical supplies, medical equipment and personal protective equipment that arrived at the Francisco C. Ada\/Saipan International Airport last Wednesday, May 13.<\/p>\n

These include 30 ventilators, two portable X-ray machines, two portable ultrasound machines, 70 infusion pumps, and a huge supply of personal protective equipment for front-liners and medical workers.<\/p>\n

To date, there are 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the CNMI, with two deaths, five active cases, and 12 recoveries.<\/p>\n

COVID-19 on Guam<\/p>\n

On May 12, 2020, the Joint Information Center reported one positive case of COVID-19 from the Guam Regional Medical City.<\/p>\n

A confirmatory test was run on this sample by the Guam Public Health Laboratory, which returned as negative. According to the Joint Information Center in Guam, upon further assessment, the patient was not considered a probable case. All positive tests conducted at GRMC undergo confirmatory testing at GPHL.<\/p>\n

To date, Guam has a total of 151 confirmed cases, with six deaths and 124 released from isolation.<\/p>\n

As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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