JIC RELEASE NO. 827 - COVID-19 Updates: Cumulative Test Results: 122 New Cases, 49 Hospitalized; Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Village Clinic Schedule

49 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 194 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 11 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated.

COVID-19 Test Results: 122 New Cases of COVID-19 
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 122 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,187 tests performed on October 19. Thirty (30) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 17,276 officially reported cases, 226 deaths, 2,690 cases in active isolation, and 14,360 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 16.7.

DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data Update Report
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 cases by type of vaccine. Analysis on case data is based on tests conducted September 19, 2021 – October 18, 2021. According to the report, the slow steady downward trend in COVID-19 cases continues, and the average weekly cases have dropped by 20 in the last week. The 7-day rolling average for cases is now below 100, and the CAR Score follows the rolling average trend. To view the report, CLICK HERE.

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. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of October 19, 21 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 47 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 136 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 122,465 (89.85%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 11,821 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 110,644 fully vaccinated adults. 6,749 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 169 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.