JIC RELEASE NO. 790 - Five COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 85; COVID-19 Test Results: 204 New Cases; Additional Updates

Five COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified of five (5) additional COVID-related fatalities reported on September 17, 2021:

• The 175th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam on September 13, 2021. The patient was a 63-year-old female, partially vaccinated, with underlying health concerns. She tested positive on September 13. 
• The 176th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the USNH on September 15, 2021. The patient was a 59-year-old male, with no known vaccination status, and with underlying health concerns. He tested positive on September 15. 
• The 177th COVID-19 related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on September 16, 2021. The patient was a 71-year-old female, unvaccinated, with no known underlying health concerns. She was a known positive case. 
• The 178th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GRMC on September 17, 2021. The patient was a 65-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying health concerns. He tested positive on September 17. 
• The 179th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GRMC on September 17, 2021. The patient was a 58-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health concerns. She tested positive on September 17. 

“The men and women who we keep in our thoughts and prayers tonight are far more than stats – they embody pleasant memories, sources of light, wisdom and love for families whose hearts are now in a place of torment,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Lives may continue to be lost at disturbing rates, with each loss regrettably offering more cautionary tales about a very real, very dangerous virus that can be controlled when we heed the warning signs.”

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.

Watch for Emergency Warning Signs for COVID-19
In accordance with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) guidance, individuals who are sick are advised to: 

• Stay home, except to seek medical care. Call ahead before visiting the clinic/doctor.
• Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headaches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea and/or diarrhea.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19. While waiting for test results, you should stay away from others, including staying apart from those living in your household.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19 and seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you are experiencing any of the following warning signs of COVID-19:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

85 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 43 Unvaccinated
The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC), and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

COVID-19 Test Results: 204 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, DPHSS reported two hundred four (204) new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,586 tests performed on September 16. Twenty (20) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 13,349 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 179 deaths, 2,513 cases in active isolation, and 10,657 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 36.2.

Free COVID-19 Testing Schedule:

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. 

Individuals waiting for COVID-19 test results must quarantine at home until cleared by DPHSS. Individuals whose test results are positive and who are at high risk for serious illness will be given information on outpatient monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.

UPDATED: COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 

Six GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed positive cases for COVID-19 involving six (6) employees. The employee cases were identified at Captain H.B. Price Elementary School and Finegayan Elementary School. Additionally, four separate cases were identified at John F. Kennedy High School. In collaboration with the DPHSS, GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index case in order to schedule testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas of the campuses are taking place.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of September 16, 250 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 38 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 579 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 114,870 (84.28%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 9,563 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 105,307.

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.