SAIPAN, 13 SEPTEMBER 2021 (MARIANAS VARIETY)–Hopwood Middle School seventh grader Divine Baxter on Friday received her second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine which means that at least 80 percent of the CNMI’s eligible population are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease.
Together with her mother, Jolene Muna, Baxter encouraged other eligible community members to get vaccinated.
“I feel good about it,” said Baxter, who added that she chose to get vaccinated so she can help keep her classmates, friends, and other community members safe.
“We’re going on two years with this coronavirus,” her mother said. “I’m diabetic. I need to watch my health and my family members’ health as well. This is one step forward.”
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp Chief Executive Officer Esther Muna on Friday said, “Fully vaccinating 80 percent of our eligible population is a huge feat. It is a community effort that we should be proud of — protecting ourselves and our loved ones, especially those who are not eligible for the Covid-19 vaccines.”
She added, “We have been advocating for vaccine administration and we will continue to accelerate our efforts in vaccinating the community.”
CHCC on Friday reported that yet another traveler tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the Commonwealth’s total to 250 cases since 28 March, 2020.
The individual was identified by travel screening and confirmed through testing on arrival on 09 September 2021. The individual has been quarantined and is actively monitored.
CHCC said its Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team has already initiated contact tracing for the most immediate contacts of the new confirmed cases.
All Covid-19 positive cases are investigated thoroughly, CHCC said, adding that currently, there is only one active hospitalisation.
Governor Ralph Torres announced that the CNMI officially reached 80 percent vaccination of its eligible population aged 12 years and older.
“This accomplishment is a testament to proactive planning and hard work by our executive leadership, our Covid-19 Task Force led by Chairman Warren Villagomez, our Commonwealth Healthcare Corp led by CEO Esther Muna, our doctors and nurses, and of course our first responders,” the governor said in a statement.
He noted his administration’s commitment to assisting CHCC in encouraging CNMI residents to get vaccinated through the recently concluded “Road to 80” campaign.
“Our administration committed US$100,000 to the Road to 80 campaign to encourage everyone in our community to get vaccinated for a chance to win prizes and incentives, and we are glad to see people coming out to get vaccinated these last few months to protect themselves and their loved ones,” the governor said.
He added that the decisions throughout the course of the pandemic were not easy, but emphasized that they have always been to keep everyone in the CNMI safe from the Covid-19 disease.
“To our first responders, thank you, Your dedication to our goal is why we got here together,” he said.
“And to our community, thank you for your patience, for your cooperation, for believing in our administration, and for following the directives and quarantine protocols. We are glad to see our people healthy, and for that, we remain blessed to be living in one of the safest places in the world.
“The work is not done, and we must keep our guard up to protect each other. Much love, Marianas,”said Torres….PACNEWS