JIC RELEASE NO. 758 -COVID-19 Hospital Census: 20; 98 of 1,249 Test Positive for COVID-19; 18 COVID-19 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified; More COVID-19 Updates

20 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 17 Unvaccinated
The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) and the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

COVID-19 Test Results: 98 New Cases
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reports ninety-eight (98) new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,249 tests performed on August 19. Forty-one (41) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 9,298 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 144 deaths, 567 cases in active isolation, and 8,578 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 12.9.

18 COVID-19 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified
Today, DPHSS received eighteen (18) new results from virus samples collected on Guam between June 1 to June 16, which have undergone genome sequencing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DPHSS received the ninth set of results from the CDC. Eighteen (18) of the twenty-three (23) samples received were identified as Variants of Concern (VOC):

• Sixteen (16) B.1.1.7 (Alpha)
• One (1) B.1.351 (Beta)
• One (1) B.1.617.2 (Delta)

To date, 179 SARS-CoV-2 virus samples have been submitted to the CDC for genome sequencing and identified a total of eighty-seven (87) COVID-19 cases infected with variants. DPHSS previously reported variants from results from the CDC and identified the following:

• sixty-three (63) cases identified with the B.1.1.7 Alpha variant 
• fourteen (14) cases identified with the B.1.429 Epsilon variant 
• three (3) cases identified with the B.1.351 Beta variant
• six (6) cases identified with the B.1.617.2 and AY.3 Delta variant 
• one (1) case identified with the  P.1 Gamma variant

Of the 18 cases reported, two reported travel history and were identified in quarantine. All other cases had no known travel history. Of the 16 cases who were vaccine eligible, none were fully vaccinated. DPHSS continues to send samples to the CDC for genome sequencing.

Eight GDOE Students Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed eight positive cases for COVID-19 involving students. The cases were identified at Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School (2), Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary, Oceanview Middle School, Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School, John F. Kennedy High School (2), and Simon Sanchez High School. In collaboration with DPHSS, GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index cases in order 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 Monday, August 23.

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

UPDATE: COVID-19 Testing Continues Through Saturday, August 28
Free COVID-19 testing continues seven days a week at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Daily testing will run through Saturday, August 28, 2021. Only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing will be performed. Up to 400 tests will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Samples will be collected through nasopharyngeal swabs. No symptoms are needed. 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, 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. 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. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
On August 19, 187 residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 74 residents received their dose in the single-dose series and an additional 208 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 106,490 (78.13%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 8,600 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 97,890. 

Japan Vaccination Certificate Accepted
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Japan has announced that Japan's vaccination certificate for the COVID-19 will be accepted for entry into Guam and the CNMI. MOFA Japan has updated a list for the countries/regions where the new COVID-19 vaccination certificate for overseas travel can be used. A list of all countries/regions where the certificate is accepted can be found here: anzen.mofa.go.jp/covid19/certificationlist.html.

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.