Despite new COVID-19 cases in the CNMI, the Commonwealth remains at Level Yellow, which is midway between Red, which is the least safe level, and Green, which is the safest.<\/p>\n
This is because there is a higher proportion of negative results among an increasing number of people being tested, according to the COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.<\/p>\n
Task Force chair Warren Villagomez reiterates that the transition to different levels is like a \u201cwater valve,\u201d which means it can go up or down. \u201cWe\u2019ll open up if we see that it\u2019s feasible and safe, tightening up if there\u2019s risk,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
There are now a total of 30 COVID-19 cases in the CNMI, with nine active cases and a total of 7,523 specimens collected on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota through the mass testing initiative.<\/p>\n
Movements and elevations between levels are being discussed, while being mindful of the number of new positive cases on the islands, according to Villagomez, who said these are evaluated each day.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, we are discussing all these matters in a group setting. All the different criteria and elements are put on the table and we assess them thoroughly to make sure that the decision that\u2019s made is for public health, safety, and to make sure that our economy is being thought out,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The task force, with the CHCC contact tracing team, pursue different techniques to spearhead and mitigate risk as they conduct their daily operation, Villagomez said, and that all the elements that are in place are outlined to effectively administer services and care. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a moving target everyday for us. We are also working along with [health provider] Marianas Health [LLC], all the different health services out there, to get into the vulnerable population, the bed-bound population, the Man\u2019amko Center, to get them tested so we can safeguard our elderly,\u201d he added. \u201cNothing is stable, nothing is firm in regards to our color coding. \u2026Unless the governor changes that executive order to a different order, those are the directions for us to adhere on.\u201d <\/p>\n
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, at his radio news briefing last Monday, explained that the vulnerability color levels are guidelines for the community and businesses, and that the colors can be adjusted if needed. \u201cWould it be possible to go down? Yes. If we have a surge of 1,000, or we\u2019re seeing a number of surge cases coming in. But if we all as a community continue to practice social distancing and continue to see the progress we\u2019ve made, there won\u2019t be any reason. We\u2019re moving in that direction. Unless something drastic happens to our community, we\u2019re going to move forward on changing those colors accordingly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Right now, the task force is assuring all in the community that the CNMI has a mechanism in place, with test kits available, to administer the services and minimizing the risk of COVID-19, whether it is for inbound passengers or the community, in general. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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