JIC RELEASE NO. 825 - 223rd COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; COVID-19 Updates: Cumulative Test Results: 91 New Cases, 52 Hospitalized; Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Village Clinic Schedule

223rd COVID-19-related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 223rd COVID-19 related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on October 15, 2021. The patient was a 68-year-old male, vaccinated, with underlying health conditions. He tested positive on October 6. 

“We cannot begin to imagine the devastation felt by the families who have experienced the greatest of loss during this pandemic. For each of you in this most difficult time, Jeff, Josh, and I express our deepest condolences,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “While we cannot bring back those who have fallen to this virus, we have the power to prevent more days of sadness and mourning by using all the tools available to us, including testing, treatment, and vaccinations.”

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.

52 Hospitalized for COVID-19

SPECIAL NOTE: Based on today's data, if we were to compare two (2) hypothetical populations of 100,000 people each, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there would be 18 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 220 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 12 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated.

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 91 New Cases of COVID-19 from October 15 – 17
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 out of 200 tests performed on October 17. Three (3) cases were identified through contact tracing. 

An additional 78 cases were also reported today as a result of complete analysis and case submissions from other clinics for preliminary COVID-19 test results reported October 16 – 17. Official case counts for the past weekend results are as follows:

• October 16: 101 of 1,439 test positive for COVID-19 (51 cases previously reported). 46 cases were identified through contact tracing.   
• October 17: 82 of 853 test positive for COVID-19 (54 cases previously reported). 21 cases were identified through contact tracing.

To date, there have been a total of 16,991 officially reported cases, 223 deaths, 2,562 cases in active isolation, and 14,206 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 17.5.

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

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Village Clinic Schedule
COVID-19 vaccine booster village clinics are being offered by DPHSS in partnership with the Mayors’ Council of Guam for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial two-dose series at least 6 months ago and are 65 years and older. For appointments, register at tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme or call your village mayor:

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. 

X-ray Imaging at GMHA for Halloween Treats Unavailable This Year
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) today announced that their free x-ray imaging for Halloween treats is unavailable this year. Suspension of this traditionally free service is part of GMHA’s COVID-19 mitigation measures as the hospital continues pandemic response operations to promote the safety of its patients, staff and the community. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of October 16, 178 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 38 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 201 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 122,240 (89.69%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 11,698 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 110,542 fully vaccinated adults. 6,177 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 148 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.