JIC RELEASE NO. 1008 - Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Test Results: 46 New Cases, 12 Hospitalized; 48 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified; FDA Restricts Use of Sotrovimab in Certain States and Territories

Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported

Today, the Joint Information Center was notified of three COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 347th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on March 15, 2022. The patient was a 78-year-old male, unvaccinated, who had underlying health conditions and tested positive on March 7.

• The 348th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at GRMC on March 18, 2022. The patient was a 63-year-old female, fully vaccinated with a booster, who had underlying health conditions and tested positive on February 16.

• The 349th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at St. Dominic’s on March 22, 2022. The patient was a 96-year-old female, fully vaccinated without a booster, who had underlying health conditions and tested positive on March 13.

“Jeff, Josh, and I pray for these families, that they find peace and comfort in this difficult time,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “While we pursue the gradual lifting of the remaining restrictions, we urge our community to continue exercising great caution and care among our most vulnerable.” 

COVID-19 Test Results: 46 New Cases Reported

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 46 new cases of COVID-19 from 747 specimens analyzed on March 31, 2022. 21 of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 47,311 officially reported cases, 349 deaths, 813 cases in active isolation, and 46,149 not in active isolation.

12 Hospitalized for COVID-19

SPECIAL NOTE: Based on today's data, if we were to compare two (2) hypothetical populations of 100,000 people each, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there would be 4 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 106 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 27 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated. *Estimated population is based on DPHSS Immunization Program analysis of 2020 Census data. Updates are expected pending further Census 2020 data breakdown.

48 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified

On Thursday, DPHSS received forty-eight (48) new results from virus samples collected on Guam between January 11 to January 20, 2022, which have undergone genome sequencing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DPHSS received the sixteenth set of results from the CDC. All 48 samples were identified as the Omicron Variant of Concern (VOC). The breakdown is as follows:

Omicron 

• Thirty-six (36) BA.1

• Twelve (12) BA.2

To date, 676 SARS-CoV-2 virus samples have been submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Hawaii DOH State Lab Division for genome sequencing. 

FDA Restricts Use of Sotrovimab in Certain States and Territories
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added Guam to the list of states and territories where sotrovimab is not authorized for use to treat COVID-19 at this time. The FDA, on March 30, 2022, issued the following statement:

Sotrovimab is not authorized at this time in the following states and territories:

• Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont (Region 1) (as of 3/25/2022)

• New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (Region 2) (as of 3/25/2022)

• Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin (Region 5) (as of 3/30/2022)

• Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau (Region 9) (as of 3/30/2022)

• Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (Region 10) (as of 3/30/2022)

According to the FDA, new data included in the health care provider fact sheet shows that the authorized dose of sotrovimab is unlikely to be effective against the BA.2 sub-variant. 

The community may still avail of bebtelovimab monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy treatment at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center.

Changes Made to COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule

The Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) and Southern Region Community Health Center (SRCHC) will be closed for vaccination on Saturday, April 2. Community testing will only be offered at NRCHC on Saturday, April 2. Changes to the schedule are below:

Mangilao mAb Treatment Center Closed Monday

The public is advised that the monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) Treatment Center located at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center in Mangilao will be closed on Monday, April 4, for facility maintenance. The treatment center will reopen on Tuesday, April 5, and continue throughout the week. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call (671) 998-4627.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update

As of March 31, 2022, a total of 135,973 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,800 residents 12 – 17 years old. 7,774 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 6,104 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. A total of 57,126 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.