JIC RELEASE NO. 754 - 144th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported; 63 of 1,080 Test Positive for COVID-19; Three GDOE Students, One Employee Test Positive for COVID-19; VAPPC Holds Virtual Meeting; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule; Issuance of SNAP

144th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified that Guam’s 144th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the U.S. Naval Hospital at approximately 10:37 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021. The patient was a 65-year-old male with underlying health conditions and without any verifiable record of COVID-19 vaccination. The patient had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 9, 2021. 

“Each soul lost to this deadly virus is a sobering reminder that our fight with COVID-19 continues. To his family, friends, and all those who loved him, we extend our deepest sympathies during these difficult times, and we pray for healing,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “While we have made significant progress in our vaccination efforts, there are still tens of thousands of our people who remain vulnerable to this virus. That is why, if you are eligible for the vaccine, I urge you to get your shots. Please protect yourself, protect those you love, and protect our community.” 

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, or need to talk to someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Results: 63 New Cases of COVID-19
Sixty-three (63) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 1,080 tests performed on August 16. Eleven (11) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 9,081 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 144 deaths, 390 cases in active isolation – inclusive of Fourteen (14) hospitalized cases with two (2) hospitalized cases receiving ICU-level care, and 8,547 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 9.5.

Guam COVID-19 vaccination update: As of August 16, a total of 105,885 or 77.69% 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 8,444 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 97,441.

Three GDOE Students, One Employee Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed three separate cases of COVID-19 involving students at the Agueda I. Johnston Middle School, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School and Tiyan High School, and one case involving an employee assigned to Astumbo Elementary School. 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 Wednesday, August 18.

Week of August 14 – 20: GDOE School-Level COVID-19 Tracking (Student Cases)

VAPPC Holds Virtual Meeting
During their virtual meeting today, the Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Policy Committee (VAPPC) discussed developing a policy for COVID-19 vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines at least 28 days after completion of the primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. The two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

The VAPPC agreed that DPHSS will draft policy and issue a Physicians Advisory to clinicians on Guam advising of the guidelines to determine eligibility for the additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients.

UPDATE: COVID-19 Testing Continues 
DPHSS drive-through COVID-19 testing continues at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada on Wednesday, August 18, 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. 

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. 

Issuance of SNAP P-EBT Cards Continue
DPHSS, in collaboration with the GDOE continues the issuance of the Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) cards at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. Below are the dates, times, and location for P-EBT Cards distribution for registered parent/guardian whose child/children attend a GDOE School:

The P-EBT Issuance Form, Q & A information sheet and brochure will be available for download at dphss.guam.gov. While hard copy issuance forms are available at the distribution site, DPHSS and GDOE recommend that parents download, complete and print issuance forms prior to arriving at the distribution site. 

P-EBT Card Distribution Requirements:   

• Register at tinyurl.com/pebtguam  
• Bring a valid picture ID such as a Driver’s License, Guam ID, military ID or Passport. Photocopies of ID’s are not accepted.
• You must be the registered parent/guardian for your child with GDOE. If you are not the registered parent/guardian, a P-EBT card WILL NOT be issued to you. If your child is an active member in another SNAP household, then a card will be issued to the head of household in that SNAP case.

Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. For questions about the P-EBT, you can call 311, option 7.

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.