The first suspected case of COVID-19 has been identified in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, according to the government’s Ministry of Health and Human Services.
RMI health officials reported earlier today that the Person Under Investigation is being treated and that testing results are still pending to confirm for coronavirus infection. Patient specimens have been sent to a CDC-certified lab.
The patient is a 66-year-old Majuro resident who recently returned from Washington state. According to health officials, the patient is currently isolated at the Majuro Hospital.
Ministry of Health officials are advising the community to remain calm and practice preventive measures, stressing that there are no confirmed cases yet of COVID-19 in the Marshall Islands.
Palau
Meanwhile, in Palau, health officials confirmed that patient specimens taken from the 73-year old PUI were sent to the Hawaii state laboratory for COVID-19 testing on Thursday, March 5.
During the past 24 hours, Palau health officials also reported screening three flights and 215 travelers as part of the government’s preventive measures.
The ministry’s 24-hour hotline was also activated to accommodate public inquiries about the coronavirus situation in the Pacific island nation.
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