FIVE travelers were confirmed positive for Covid-19 on Friday, bringing the CNMI s total number of cases to 181 since March 28, 2020, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. said.
CHCC spokesman Guillermo C. Lifoifoi said the five individuals were identified by travel screening at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport and confirmed diagnosis through fifth-day testing and testing on arrival on May 20, 2021.
The individuals have been moved to the designated isolation area for close monitoring.
In addition, the CHCC Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts of the new confirmed cases, including passengers on the same flight.
DURING the early months of the Governorâs Council of Economic Advisersâ work, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios encouraged us to work together to transform the Marianas after a video depicting dilapidated tourist and community sites revealed the real and unfortunate conditions of the facilities on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
The call drew widespread support from the community. One year later, while also recovering from major catastrophes and the pandemic, through the GCEAâs Public Private Partnership initiative, we have made progress in transforming destination sites and village facilities in the Marianas. What were once condemned facilities have become useful again, providing safe, clean, and comfortable spaces to enjoy. Basketball courts are drawing more youth and adults back for pick-up games in the villages. Beach parks and newly painted pavilions are welcoming families and friends to gather in nature.
THE Commonwealth central government has been making regular payments for the $15 million it borrowed from the Marianas Public Land Trust in 2019 for the extraordinary expenses incurred during Super Typhoon Yutu recovery, according to official documents obtained by Variety.
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., for its part, is also paying its $3 million line of credit provided by MPLT in 2012 at an interest rate of 5%.
Initially, CHCC paid the monthly interest only, but in 2018, it started making monthly payments of $53,000 for the principal and interest.
It still owes MPLT $1,561,041.03.
MPLTâs loan prevented the closure of some of CHCCâs services and allowed the hospital to pay its doctors and nurses.
COMMONWEALTH Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said as of this week, inbound passengers who were fully vaccinated in other Level 1 jurisdictions are no longer required to quarantine at a government designated facility or be tested upon arrival.
They will, however, still be tested on the fifth day after their arrival, and can opt to home quarantine.
As of Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Level 1 jurisdictions included American Samoa, Australia, the British Virgin Islands, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nigeria, Palau, Western Samoa, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
THE Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is now available for children 12 to 15 years old, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. announced Thursday.
CHCC spokesman Guillermo Lifoifoi said the healthcare corporation, with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Medical Care and Treatment Site starting Friday, May 14, 2021.
Walk-ins are accepted but parental consent forms are required for minors who are unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parental consent forms are available at www.vaccinatecnmi.com. It is requested that a valid government-issued ID or birth certificate be presented at the time of registration.