JIC RELEASE NO. 753 - Three-day Summary for COVID-19; Seven GDOE Students Test Positive for COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccinations Continue as Scheduled; Testing Postponed Until Wednesday, August 18

Results: Three Day Summary
107 new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 1,926 tests performed August 13 – 15:

• Friday, August 13: Fifty-five (55) cases of COVID-19 out of 1,082 tests performed, with thirty (30) cases identified through contact tracing.
• Saturday, August 14: Forty-four (44) cases of COVID-19 out of 676 tests performed, with twenty (20) cases identified through contact tracing.
• Sunday, August 15: Eight (8) cases of COVID-19 out of 168 tests performed, with one (1) case identified through contact tracing.

Fifty-one (51) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 9,018 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 143 deaths, 378 cases in active isolation – inclusive of nine (9) hospitalized cases with one (1) hospitalized case receiving ICU-level care, and 8,497 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 9.3.

Guam COVID-19 vaccination update: As of August 14, a total of 105,605 or 77.48% of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) have received either both doses in the two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) or the single-dose series (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) of the COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage includes 8,342 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 97,263.

Seven GDOE Students Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed seven separate cases of COVID-19 involving students at the schools identified in the table below. In collaboration with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index cases to schedule testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS to return to campus. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas of the campuses are taking place to ensure schools are ready for regular hours of operation on Tuesday, August 17.

UPDATE: COVID-19 Testing at Tiyan Postponed Until August 18
In anticipation of inclement weather, the DPHSS drive-through COVID-19 testing at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada scheduled for Tuesday, August 17 has been canceled. Testing will resume on Wednesday, August 18, and will continue through Saturday, August 21. Testing is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Up to 400 tests will be offered. Only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing will be conducted. For purposes of qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, samples will be collected through nasopharyngeal swabs. Testing is free and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. 

COVID-19 test results can be expected within 24 hours. To receive results via email, send a request to [email protected]. For quicker service, DPHSS encourages individuals to visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing to download, print, and complete a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form before arriving at the testing site. 

Only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent/legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form for the minor to be tested for COVID-19. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at DPHSS drive-thru testing sites and must be scheduled with the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) by calling (671) 635-7525/6. 

COVID-19 testing at NRCHC on Tuesday, August 17 has also been canceled in anticipation of inclement weather. Testing at NRCHC will resume on Wednesday, August 18.

The community is reminded to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they are identified as close contacts to confirmed positive cases or are experiencing any of the known COVID-19 symptoms, which include, but are not limited to:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath 
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not exhaustive of all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

UPDATE: 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.

Special Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine:

• must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• must provide government-issued identification to validate minor’s age
• must provide minor’s birth certificate
• parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued ID 
• guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents

Homebound Vaccination Requests
DPHSS and the University of Guam (UOG) Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (CEDDERS) have partnered to service all homebound requests. Individuals who would like to request homebound COVID-19 vaccinations should call 311, option 2, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, to schedule an appointment. 

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.