The Northern Mariana's cases of Covid-19 now total 37 after 11 more individuals tested positive as the islands' health authorities scramble to control the latest community spread of the virus.
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) said the 11 latest positive cases were a product of contact tracing conducted on October 31st and November 1st.
All 11 people have since been isolated and are being actively monitored.
The Corporation said its Communicable Disease Investigation and Inspection team has already begun contacting those who were in closest contact to the new cases.
Covid-19 vaccination site, Northern Marianas. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
Since October 28, the CNMI has logged 38 positive cases, 30 were identified through contact tracing, seven through community testing, and one through travel testing.
The CHCC added that there are currently 39 active cases of Covid-19 in the CNMI, with 34 of the 39, or 87 percent, reported experiencing symptoms.
The one other active case is an incoming traveller who tested positive on October 23 and is still deemed an active case and will be for 10 days.
CNMI Governor Ralp DLG Torres. Photo: Office of the Governor of CNMI
The CHCC further reported that 518 Covid-19 tests were conducted on October 31, and 639 on November 1, comprising travel and surveillance testing.
Governor Ralph DLG Torres, meanwhile, assured the community that the Covid-19 Task Force and CHCC are doing all they can to contain the local Covid-19 spread, adding that the best thing to do at this time is to not panic.
"My message to the community is please don't panic. I know that there's so many questions, concerns, uncertainties, but one thing that is important to know is that the contact tracing team is doing their best. I know that we all want to get tested, but more important, at this point, is to continue the effort of getting vaccinated," Governor Torres said.