JIC RELEASE NO. 792 - COVID-19 Hospital Census: 82; Preliminary COVID-19 Test Results: 94 New Cases; Additional Updates

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

82 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 45 Unvaccinated
The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) and Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 5 p.m.:

Preliminary COVID-19 Test Results: 94 New Cases
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported a preliminary case count of ninety-four (94) new cases of COVID-19 from 573 specimens analyzed on September 18. Additional results are pending analysis and submission from other clinics and will be reported on Monday, September 20. To date, there have been a total of 13,532 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 179 deaths, 2,696 cases in active isolation, and 10,657 not in active isolation. As of September 17, 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 

Ten GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed positive cases for COVID-19 involving ten (10) employees. The employee cases were identified at Captain H.B. Price Elementary School, Talofofo Elementary School, Astumbo Middle School, and Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School. Additionally, three separate cases were identified at Astumbo Elementary School and three separate cases identified at Finegayan Elementary 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 18, 300 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 38 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 912 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 116,184 (85.25%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 9,655 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 106,529.

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.