Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation

Situation Summary: In December 2019, Chinese health authorities identified an outbreak of pneumonia associated with a novel, or new, coronavirus which has resulted in thousands of confirmed cases in China. Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, including each of the 50 US states, and Guam. Knowledge of the virus and its spread changes daily. Click here to access CDC’s COVID-19 webpage for the most up to date information.

Latest News from the CHCC

COVID-19 Info Line
For information about COVID-19 symptoms and other information please call
(670) 285-1352
(670) 285-1542
(670) 285-1672
(670) 285-9044
(670) 285-1854
Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm

COVID-19 Health Tent
Patients arriving at CHCC with respiratory symptoms or fever will be screened outside of the main CHCC facility in a tent near the main hospital entrance on the upper level.
Operating Monday to Friday 7AM-6PM | Saturday and Sunday 8AM-5PM

Mental Health Care Line
For mental health support and helpful tips please call 285-1856/1857 Monday to Friday 7:30AM-7PM

Outpatient Clinics
Family Care Clinic: Monday - Friday (7:30am to 4:30pm) and Saturday (8:00am to 5:00pm by appointment only)
Women's Clinic: Monday - Friday (7:30am to 4:30pm)
Children's Clinic: Monday - Friday (7:30am to 4:30pm)

Immunization Clinic
For child vaccinations, please visit the CHCC Children's Clinic
For adult vaccinations, please visit CHCC Family's Care Clinic

Tuberculosis/Hansen's Prevention Program
Patients of the program will be contacted by program staff for more information.

HIV/STD Prevention Program
Patients of the program will be contacted by program staff for more information.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program and Nicotine Cessation Programs are temporarily unavailable.

Dental Clinic
The CHCC's Dental Clinic is currently open for dental emergencies only. Dental emergencies include: heavy bleeding from the mouth, tooth trauma, swelling or infection, and severe toothaches (pain prevents you from eating or sleeping and is does not respond to over the counter pain medication).

Visitors to CHCC
All visitors to the CHCC will be screened, and their temperature taken. Non-patients with a fever will not be allowed in the facility. No guests are allowed in the CHCC hospital. Patients who are admitted to the hospital will be limited to one caretaker at a time. Outpatient visits to the clinics are limited to the patient and a maximum of one other person. For example, if a child has an appointment in the Children's Clinic, only one parent or guardian may accompany them. Parents with multiple children should leave other children with a caretaker. Please plan accordingly.

Dialysis
Temporarily not allowing visitors and caregivers to sit with patients on dialysis during treatment. Patients on dialysis, please call the CHCC Dialysis Center ahead of time at 236-8303/4 if you are experiencing a new cough, fever, shortness of breath, or any other symptoms that are unusual for you.

Funerals
If you plan to visit the CHCC chapel for a funeral, you will be asked to limit the number of visitors in the chapel at one time. This is done to increase the physical space between individuals so we can avoid the spread of illness and protect the safety of our health care facility. Your cooperation is highly appreciated.

Governor's Memo - Amending Directive 8 - SAEO 2020-04

EO 2020-04 [SECOND AMENDED] Public Health Emergency Declaration

Letter to CNMI Dental Colleagues

CHCC Frequently Asked Questions - CNMI Residents

Please budget an additional 5 minutes of time when coming to your doctor's appointment to answer screening questions at designated CHCC entrances.

For a list of all CHCC press releases, public notices, and health advisories, please CLICK HERE.

Ongoing CHCC Preparedness Measures

Activation of the AOC
The CEO has activated the CHCC Agency Operations Center (AOC) from which to coordinate preparedness and response activities. The AOC team is involved with multiple organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), who provide information, resources, and guidance for the CNMI.

Airport Surveillance

The CHCC Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP) Surveillance Unit has staff stationed at the Saipan airport around the clock to monitor and interview incoming passengers from areas with COVID-19 outbreaks. Screening began on February 1, 2020, with over 36,000 passengers screened so far.

Effective Monday, March 23rd, pursuant to Governor Torres's Executive Order 2020-04, Directive #8, all individuals entering the CNMI are ordered to quarantine at a designated site for 14 days. Incoming travelers will also be enrolled into the Text Illness Monitoring (T.I.M.) system, which alerts CHCC staff when enrollees report symptoms.

Individuals who present a health certificate certifying that they tested negative for COVID-19 in the previous 72 hours may be exempted from quarantine, but this certificate must be reviewed at the quarantine site. Possession of a health certificate alone does not guarantee exemption from quarantine. All individuals, even those requesting exemption, must go to the quarantine site after arriving in Saipan.

Coordination with CNMI Agencies
The governor has put together a COVID-19 task force that includes a variety of government agencies, with the goal of maintaining the health and safety of CNMI residents. CHCC PHEP Director Warren Villagomez is chairperson of this taskforce.

Communications Taskforce
A communications and community outreach taskforce has been established within the CHCC to provide messaging and outreach regarding COVID-19 and personal protective measures.

Port Surveillance
A joint effort is being undertaken between the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Coastguard, CNMI Customs, and the CHCC PHEP and Bureau of Environmental Health (BEH) divisions to inspect all vessels that enter CNMI waters before they can make port.

Resources for the Public