JIC RELEASE NO. 812 - Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported 58 Hospitalized; 159 Test Positive Testing to be Held at Micronesia Mall Thursday; COVID Updates

Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified of two (2) COVID-19-related fatalities which occurred on October 6, 2021:

• The 209th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on October 6, 2021. The patient was a 72-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on October 6, 2021. 
• The 210th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) on October 6, 2021. The patient was a 63-year-old female, fully vaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on October 6, 2021. 

“Too many families and loved ones have experienced the greatest loss and sadness over the course of this pandemic and to them, Jeff, Josh, and I offer our most heartfelt sympathies,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “May their passing not be in vain--that we each take the extra precautions to protect ourselves and those around us with all the tools available to us.”

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.

COVID-19 Community Testing to be Held at Micronesia Mall Thursday
DPHSS, in partnership with the Guam National Guard and Micronesia Mall management, will conduct COVID-19 community testing at the Micronesia Mall underground parking garage on Thursday, October 7, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. In preparation of inclement weather, operations at the Old Carnival Grounds in Tiyan this Thursday have been moved temporarily to the Micronesia Mall. 

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

58 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 33 Unvaccinated

COVID-19 Test Results: 159 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 159 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,405 tests performed on October 5. 33 cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 15,789 officially reported cases, 210 deaths, 2,452 cases in active isolation, and 13,127 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 27.4.

DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data Update Report, Physicians Advisory 2022-01
Today, DPHSS Office of Epidemiology and Research and the COVID-19 Surveillance Unit issued a report on Guam’s COVID-19 surge trends and breakthrough case analysis on tests conducted September 6, 2021 – October 4, 2021. According to the report, the proportion of breakthrough cases is averaging around 45% of the daily case rate during this time period with the majority of cases still among the unvaccinated. To view the report, CLICK HERE.

Additionally, DPHSS issued Physician Advisory 2022-01, relative to recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to healthcare providers for COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women to prevent serious illness, death and adverse pregnancy outcomes. To view the advisory, CLICK HERE.

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. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of October 5, 92 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 20 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 179 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 120,715 (88.57%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 11,095 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 109,620 fully vaccinated adults. 2,708 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 30 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.

Click here to view DPHSS Physicians Advisory 2022-01 COVID-19 Vaccination Pregnancy

Click here to view Get vaccinated

Click here to view Covid testing