On March 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act includes provision for a refundable tax credit, widely known as a “stimulus check” that applies to the CNMI and other US territories.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) announced the confirmation of four new COVID-19 cases in the CNMI.As of April 1, 2020, the CNMI has submitted 31 specimens for COVID-19 testing to the Guam Public Health Laboratory. Of these 31 specimens, 19 have been processed, resulting in six positive cases and 13 negative cases. CHCC awaits the results of 12 specimens.

Amendment to Directive 14 of the Second Amended Executive Order 2020-04 to promote social distancing and expand available store hours

In a press conference held earlier today, the Office of the Governor and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) announced that one patient suspected of having COVID-19 has passed away today, March 30, 2020.

Earlier this evening, two positive cases of COVID-19 in the CNMI were confirmed by Governor Ralph Torres and CHCC CEO Esther Muna. We will share official news releases once available. Continue to stay home and break the chain of transmission of the virus. Social distancing remains one of our strongest weapons against the outbreak.

The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to inform the public that the results of both specimens submitted to Guam Public Health Lab this week have been confirmed negative for COVID-19. While this is great news for our community, we all need to continue to be proactive with our personal prevention efforts - stay home - stay informed - stay healthy.

The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to advise the public that the specimen sent for COVID-19 testing mentioned in a health advisory released on Friday, March 13, 2020 (CHCC-PR-20- 064) has been confirmed negative for COVID-19 by Guam Public Health Lab. We will continue to provide updates on our surveillance moving forward.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to inform the general public that the CHCC continues to implement active surveillance for COVID-19 in the CNMI. As a result of our active and enhanced surveillance efforts, the CHCC has identified a surveillance case. CHCC is submitting specimens for testing to the Guam Public Health Lab based on the COVID- 19 Surveillance Case definition.

General Questions
Will NMC's campus on Saipan, Rota or Tinian be open?

To ensure the safety of students, students are asked to stay home. NMC campuses on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will remain off limits to all students at this time and until further notice. Continue to monitor your student email for updates.

Q: I’m worried about COVID-19 in the CNMI. What should I do?
A: If you feel well, practice good hygiene and social distancing. Laboratory testing for COVID-19 is only available for extreme cases. There is no voluntary testing in the CNMI for people who are feeling well.

As we monitor the latest news about the pandemic, know that Northern Marianas College remains committed to ensuring the safety of students and employees as the COVID-19 situation continues to escalate and rapidly evolve. To prevent the possible spread of COVID-19, the College is restricting any gatherings and face-to-face interactions on its Saipan, Tinian, and Rota campuses by transitioning face-to-face classes to a virtual environment.

Effective immediately, the Northern Marianas College is suspending all face-to-face classes through March 17th. Transition of a majority of face-to-face courses to online platforms will occur on Wednesday March 18, 2020 while the remaining classes will transition by March 23, 2020. A complete schedule will be provided by Monday, March 16, 2020.

Hafa Adai and Tiroow NMC Students and Employees:

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Northern Marianas College continues to monitor COVID-19 information as it becomes available. The COVID-19 pandemic is the most serious public health concern we have seen here in the CNMI and around the globe. Already, U.S. President Trump has declared a national emergency, which activates federal resources and funds to combat the spread of the virus.

Over an abundance of concern for the safety of students and employees, Northern Marianas College is suspending all College-sponsored travel by faculty, staff, and students for all travel activity occurring through April 30, 2020 (Exemptions to this suspension may be granted by the Interim President for extreme situations). The suspension of travel will likely be continued after April 30, 2020, and an additional advisory from NMC will be issued to confirm the suspension after this time period.

Part of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation’s (CHCC) ongoing efforts to protect the CNMI community involves the surveillance and monitoring of infectious diseases. Regular surveillance allows the CHCC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Program, under the Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP), to rapidly respond to disease outbreaks based on confirmed or suspected cases, in order to mitigate the effects on the population and break the chain of transmission.

As we continue to monitor the escalating COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak in the region and around the globe, Northern Marianas College is taking necessary steps that protect the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, community, and visitors. Planning activities to ensure the continuity of learning and student services are also being advanced.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to advise the public that the suspected COVID-19 case mentioned in a health advisory released on Thursday, March 5, 2020 (CHCC-PR-20- 056) has been confirmed negative for COVID-19 through additional clinical assessment and extensive consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The patient presented with additional symptoms that are not consistent with COVID-19, and was diagnosed with a different upper respiratory illness.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to inform the general public that, after consultation with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CHCC is submitting a specimen for COVID-19 testing to the laboratory in Hawaii. While the patient does not meet the full CDC case definition of a COVID-19 person under investigation (PUI), and is considered a suspect of low priority, the CHCC is taking a precautionary stance in order to protect the CNMI community.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today that the sample from the low priority suspected COVID-19 case tested negative for the coronavirus.

Click here to read the full update.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to inform the general public that, after consultation with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CHCC is submitting a specimen for novel coronavirus 2019-nCov testing to the CDC laboratory in Atlanta, GA. While the patient does not meet the full CDC case definition of a 2019-nCov person under investigation (PUI), and is considered a suspect of low priority, the CHCC is taking a precautionary stance in order to protect the CNMI community.

Click here to read the full update.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) is continuing to monitor the ongoing outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) which began in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, and which has now spread across mainland China. Over the last few weeks, cases have begun to appear globally in locations including Southeast Asia, Europe, and the mainland US. There have been over 350 deaths, with the vast majority occurring in Wuhan and other parts of mainland China. Only one death has been recorded outside of mainland China, in the Philippines.

Click here to read the full update.

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first identified in Wuhan City in the Hubei Province of China in December 2019. There have been thousands of cases reported in Wuhan and other areas in China, and cases are being reported internationally including in the mainland US. Over 300 deaths have been reported in China, with one death reported outside of China in the Philippines.

Click here to read the full update.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that was initially detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. This CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Update provides a situational update and interim guidance to state and local health departments that supersedes guidance in CDC’s HAN 426 distributed on January 17, 2020.

Click here to read the full update.

NMC Students and Employees,

We are sure you are likely reading and following the news announcements regarding the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. Here are key takeaways from the Jan. 31, 2020 announcement from the Office of the Governor and the Commonwealth Health Care Corporation (CHCC):

Click here to read the full update.

As of Thursday, January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) around the ongoing outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in late December 2019. As of this release, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the CNMI.

Click here to read the full update.

The second meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 in the People’s Republic of China, with exportations to other countries, took place on Thursday, 30 January 2020, from 13:30 to 18:35 Geneva time (CEST).

Click here to read the full update.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC)would like to update the public on a rumor that was circulating yesterday that a novel coronavirus case has been confirmed on Saipan. As far as we can tell, this rumor originated from this memo out of Alpha Insurers in Guam. The CHCC can confirm as of this release that no confirmed or suspected coronaviruses cases have been identified on Saipan or anywhere else in the CNMI. We will update the public should any cases in the CNMI be identified.

Click here to read the full update.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to address rumors that have been circulating in the CNMI community today indicating that protective masks should be worn prior to entering CHCC, and that a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) case arrived on Saipan today. Five patients were treated at the CHCC this morning exhibiting symptoms reminiscent of 2019-nCoV, and who had recently traveled to an affected area. However, these patients’ illnesses were confirmed to be the flu, not 2019-nCoV.

Click here to read the full update.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to update the public regarding the ongoing outbreak of pneumonia that started in Wuhan, China.

What caused the outbreak?
The ongoing pneumonia outbreak is caused by a new type of coronavirus referred to as 2019-nCoV.

What are the symptoms of 2019-nCoV?
Symptoms include fever, and symptoms associated with lower respiratory illness such as coughing, and difficulty breathing.

Click here to read the full update.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) would like to advise the public that we are monitoring the outbreak of illness in Wuhan, China. The disease has been confirmed to have been caused by a novel (new) type of coronavirus. There have been 41 confirmed cases in China and one death in a patient who had significant underlying medical conditions. No additional cases in China have been detected since January 3, 2020. However, as of January 16, two export cases of the disease have been confirmed in people who had recently traveled from Wuhan.

Click here to read the full update.