The Northern Marianas now has 19 cases of Covid-19 after three new positive cases were confirmed after contact tracing, according to the Governor's Covid-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC).
The three new cases are identified as three males ages 19, 25, and 27.
The task force and CHCC said the new cases are symptomatic and are contacts of previously diagnosed coronavirus cases who reside in the islands.
Specimens were collected, processed, and confirmed positive at the Commonwealth CHCC Laboratory yesterday.
The three are in stable condition and are safely isolated at Kanoa Resort.
These cases are being closely monitored by CHCC medical teams. CHCC has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts (close family members, friends, and associates) of these new confirmed cases.
It is not clear whether these cases tested positive because of current infections or if the tests are detecting viral debris of a previous infection from which they have already recovered.
Contract tracing evidence indicates that these cases were most likely exposed through a small gathering of people from different households.
The CNMI's Covid-19 count is now at 19 cases with five active cases, 12 recoveries, and two deaths.