The Northern Marianas still has over 10,000 unvaccinated individuals despite 87 percent of its eligible adult population vaccinated with at least the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
And this number, according to Commonwealth Healthcare Corporaton chief executive officer Esther Muña, is still a source of concern to the U.S. territory, deemed one of the safest places in world during the pandemic.
In related news, four additional individuals have been confirmed positive for Covid-19, bringing the islands' total to 281 cases since March 28, 2020.
Commonwealth Health Care Corporation's Covid-19 Vaccination Service Center Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
The individuals were identified by travel screening and confirmed through fifth-day testing and testing on arrival on October 11.
Muña said while an 80 percent vaccinated threshold has been the CNMI's goal in order to start claiming herd immunity against Covid-19, the focus now shifts to reducing the number of unvaccinated individuals who are at risk of contracting and spreading Covid-19.
Esther Muña Photo: Supplied
Meanwhile, the Northern Marianas bought two new machines needed to test for the Covid-19 virus.
Our correspondent said the purchase is expected to boost the Marianas Visitors Authority's ability to expand the Tourism Resumption Investment Plan program with South Korea.