With the CNMI now at \u201cMedium\u201d level based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s community level metric system, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and the Governor\u2019s COVID-19 Task Force are easing the mask-wearing rule, making it now a personal choice whether you want to wear a mask or not.<\/p>\n
CHCC and the COVID-19 Task Force officially announced yesterday that the CNMI has progressed to \u201cMedium\u201d level in the CDC\u2019s new COVID-19 metrics due to the significant reduction in daily COVID-19 cases this past week. <\/p>\n
At Medium level, mask wearing will no longer be required both indoors and outdoors; instead, mask wearing is now based on personal preference. <\/p>\n
However, for those who are immunocompromised or at a high risk for severe disease, CHCC encourages these individuals to talk to their healthcare provider about whether a mask is needed or to take other precautions. <\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Health Center hospital will continue to require visitors and clinic patients to wear masks in patient-serving areas.<\/p>\n
Aside from easing mask requirements, protocols for incoming travelers have also been eased. <\/p>\n
Effective March 26, all travelers entering the CNMI by air or sea will no longer be tested on arrival or on their fifth-day after arrival.<\/p>\n
All travelers are still required to complete a mandatory health declaration form and should continue to wear a well-fitted mask if they must be around others or, if they develop symptoms, they should get tested. <\/p>\n
Travelers who are not up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to get tested five days after arrival but are not required to do so. <\/p>\n
Guam has also adjusted its COVID-19 Community Level to \u201cModerate,\u201d based on the latest available data.<\/p>\n
In a previous interview with CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muna, she explained that the CNMI has remained on \u201cHigh\u201d level for weeks due to the high volume of daily COVID-19 cases. However, for the past week, the CNMI\u2019s daily case rate has consistently been in the double-digits range only, which has prompted CHCC to transition to \u201cMedium\u201d level. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing that really put us in that High level [was] our daily cases. So if you are at least 200 per week in a seven-day period per 100,000 population, you won\u2019t be able to go to the low level until you go below the 200 per 100,000 population in a week. The thing is, if you are high and you are low in some areas, you have to choose the high level,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
In the past week, the number of daily cases has dropped to the 30\u2019s, according to CHCC COVID-19 reports. <\/p>\n
According to a recent press release from the Governor\u2019s Office, as of March 24, the CNMI has reported a total of 11,022 cases of COVID-19, with 1 in 5 CNMI citizens estimated to have contracted the disease.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a total of 223 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19 (2.1% of cases) and 33 people have died due to COVID-19 for an overall case fatality rate of 0.3%, lower than almost every other U.S. jurisdiction and most countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to the high vaccination rate against COVID-19 in the CNMI and availability of treatments such as monoclonal antibodies, rates of severe COVID-19 have been low,\u201d the release stated. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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