JIC RELEASE NO. 716 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev 13; Seven of 356 Test Positive for COVID-19; UPDATED: COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-11 Rev. 13
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev. 13, relative to additional guidance pursuant to Governor’s Executive Order 2021-15, which amended restrictions for incoming travelers and quarantine facilities.

All incoming travelers into Guam are subject to a ten (10) day quarantine. Travelers arriving into the United States from any foreign country are subject to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirement of obtaining a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19, and are still required to undergo quarantine based on their traveler status as defined in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev. 13 and, are subject to exemptions as in this guidance memo. Further guidance for travelers who may be eligible for exemption from quarantine is as stated:

• PRE-ARRIVAL NEGATIVE COVID-19 RT-PCR TEST

  • Passengers who present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test may be exempt from quarantine.  Passengers seeking exemption from quarantine under this section must present the following at the port of entry upon arrival:

    • Photo identification (e.g., passport, driver’s license, state-issued identification);

    • Valid negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result collected within 72 hours prior to arrival into Guam.

RT-PCR tests detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. These tests identify individuals who are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2. Test results must include patient name, date of birth, specimen collection date, and the type of COVID-19 test performed.

• OTHER PRE-ARRIVAL NEGATIVE COVID-19 VIRAL TEST

  • Passengers who do not qualify for exemption from quarantine (i.e. no pre-arrival negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test or not fully vaccinated) may qualify for quarantine at a rental lodging or personal residence. In order to qualify, passengers must present the following at the airport upon arrival:

    • Photo identification (e.g., passport, driver’s license, state-issued identification); AND,

    • Valid negative COVID-19 viral (non-RT-PCR) test result collected within 72 hours prior to arrival into Guam.

Other viral tests, such as LAMP tests or antigen tests, also detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material or specific proteins on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These tests also help to identify whether individuals are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2. Test results must include patient name, date of birth, specimen collection date, and the type of COVID-19 test performed.

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev. 13 contains arrival protocols, including, but not limited to guidance for travelers with prior COVID-19 infections, arrivals from areas with no (active) cases or imported/sporadic cases, emergency or hardship-related travel to Guam and critical service worker requests. To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev. 13 in its entirety, click HERE.

Results: Seven New Cases of COVID-19
Seven (7) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 356 tests performed Thursday, July 1. Four (4) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 8,373 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 140 deaths, 82 cases in active isolation, and 8,151 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 0.7. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations and times below. Bring a photo ID. Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. To view the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccination clinics, visit dphss.guam.gov/vaccinategu. 

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. Minor’s birth certificate is acceptable. Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued ID. Guardians must also present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney document. 

Free COVID-19 Testing Schedule
COVID-19 community testing continues. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at these community testing sites. Individuals seeking COVID-19 testing to travel off-island may contact the DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center at 635-7525/6 to schedule an appointment. Priority is given to patients under investigation and those traveling for medical purposes. For the safety of the community and nurses, only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Results available onsite. Testing times, dates and locations are below:

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.