Saipan suffered four deaths related to COVID-19 in just as many days. Health officials are preparing for a possible surge driven by the delta variant as concerns over omicron loom this holiday season.

During today's CNMI press conference on the virus,

"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought tremendous grief to the families," Esther Muna, NMI Hospital CEO said.

The CNMI suffering four deaths since Christmas entering the ninth week of Saipan's first surge.

"We are currently at 93.4 percent of our eligible population being fully vaccinated but this still leaves a lot of unvaccinated folks susceptible to this disease," Muna said.

Saipan nearing 3,000 cases as three-quarters of hospital admissions due to COVID are unvaccinated. With an expected spike driven by holiday gatherings, health officials say more treatment for COVID-19 is on the way, but it is not a substitute for the vaccine.

"And for some of you that had a hard time deciding on getting vaccinated I am pleading with you to please look at if you are qualified to get booster shots as well," Muna said.

Over 30% of people who are eligible received their booster shot.

"The hope is that as increasing numbers of people get vaccinated we will be able to temper any surge from a new variant," Ali Khan, WHO medical epidemiologist said.