JIC RELEASE NO. 806 - 197th COVID-19-related Fatality; 58 Hospitalized; 144 of 1,295 Test Positive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Shots Available COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory for Pregnant People U.S. Army Reserve Nurses to Assist with Patient Care at GMH

197th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified that Guam’s 197th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital on September 29, 2021. The patient was a 76-year-old male, vaccinated, with underlying health conditions who was a known positive case.  

The JIC reports COVID-19-related fatalities once they are officially reported to the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), who also shares this information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cause of death and/or contributing factors to the cause of death are determined by a positive COVID-19 laboratory report and the attending physician and the Chief Medical Examiner.

“Once again a family is faced with devastating loss,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “We mourn with them as a community and for each person affected by this virus. Remember to safely check in with one another, to be compassionate, and to continue doing what works--wearing masks, washing hands, watching distance, and getting vaccinated. 

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

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.

58 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 35 Unvaccinated

COVID-19 Test Results: 144 New Cases of COVID-19 
Today, DPHSS reported 144 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,295 tests performed on September 29. 49 cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 15,041 officially reported cases, 197 deaths, 3,631 cases in active isolation, and 11,213 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 24.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Shots Available 
Booster Shots are available at the University of Guam Calvo Field House for people who had a normal immune response to the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, but because of time, antibody levels are beginning to wane. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only FDA authorized vaccine to administer as a booster. The following groups of people are eligible for a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech if they completed the Pfizer-BioNTech series (first two doses) and it has been 6 months or more since the second dose:

• Anyone age 65+
• Anyone age 18+ with underlying medical conditions
• Anyone 18+ with an elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their occupation (e.g. healthcare workers, law enforcement, fire, K-12 teachers and support staff, university faculty, daycare employees, food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, USPS workers, corrections workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers) or living settings

If eligible, please make your Booster Shot appointment at tinyurl.com/vaxguam. Walk-ins are accepted but should be prepared for longer wait times. 

For more information, visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. 

CDC Health Alert Network Publishes COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory for Pregnant People
On September 29, the CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) issued an official health advisory for COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People to Prevent Serious Illness, Deaths, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from COVID-19. According to the CDC’s HAN, pregnant and recently pregnant people are at increased risk of severe illness, death and pregnancy complications. The HAN recommends COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant and recently pregnant people. The HAN provides information on:

• Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States

• COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding

• COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Would Like to Have a Baby

• COVID-19 among Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People

Three GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed three positive cases for COVID-19 involving employees at Daniel L. Perez Elementary School, Finegayan Elementary School, and Tiyan High School. Close contacts were notified and will be scheduled for testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until cleared to return to campus. Cleaning and disinfecting are taking place to ensure the building is ready for regular hours of operation on October 1.

U.S. Army Reserve Nurses to Assist with Patient Care at GMH
Today, Joint Region Marianas (JRM) announced the arrival of U.S. Army Reserve Nurses to augment the available nursing staff at GMH. According to JRM, multidisciplinary nurses arrived on Guam between September 27 – 29 and will work alongside GMH nurses and medical staff to support critical patient care in areas such as the Emergency Room (ER) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The nurses will assist with the increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients and care for non-COVID related patients as required. 

U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) in close coordination with JRM assembled the nursing team from areas to include Fort Sam Houston in Texas, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, and Fort Shafter in Hawaii. They are scheduled to continue providing medical support until the end of October when the duration of the FEMA mission assignment for the team’s medical support will be complete. Members of the team traveling to Guam are fully vaccinated and were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. The nurses are residing in off-base lodging for the duration of their stay. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of September 29, 101 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 19 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 209 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 119,436 (87.63%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 10,655 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 108,781 fully vaccinated adults.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit guamrecovery.com. For inquiries, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10. 

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