The Northern Marianas is reporting new cases of Covid-19.
The US territory now has 181 total cases after five unvaccinated travellers tested positive on Saturday.
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation says the latest cases were picked up by travel screening and tested on arrival.
The health authority says out of the islands' 181 total cases, 36 are local transmissions.
Saipan Tribune editor Mark Rabago says he's not too worried because the threat of community transmission remains low.
A Covid-19 vaccination site on Saipan in the Northern Marianas. January 2021. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Mark Rabago
Authorities have opened an additional vaccination centre as they aim to achieve herd immunity.
Mr Rabago said about 66 percent of people have already received at least one dose.
"The good thing about having only 50,000 people on an island is that you can pretty much keep tabs on everybody," he said.
It also seems that the Northern Mariana Islands are in a good shape economically, despite having no tourists for more than a year.
Mr Rabago says the United States is keeping the island's industries afloat.
"Right now we're being sustained by federal government. Private companies are getting loans from the US that don't have to be paid back.
"And also we're getting pandemic unemployment assistance, so all workers who have been displaced by Covid-19 are actually getting more money than they used to before when they were working. So, there's no tourists, but the economy is doing okay."
