JIC RELEASE NO. 829 - 227th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported; COVID-19 Updates: 95 New Cases, 46 Hospitalized; DPHSS Prepares for Expansion of COVID-19 Booster Shots; October 23 Tiyan Drive-Through Testing Relocated to Micronesia Mall; COVID Results

227th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified that Guam’s 227th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on October 22, 2021. The patient was a 77-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on October 16. 

"No words can express how deeply we feel for the friends and family of those who were impacted by this virus and taken too soon," said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. "The grief is great and so is the reality that it will continue. We will control what we can, with our personal mitigations against COVID-19, to build defenses against such great loss."

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.

46 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 15 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 198 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 13 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated.

COVID-19 Test Results: 95 New Cases of COVID-19 
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 95 new cases of COVID-19 out of 951 tests performed on October 21. Twenty-six (26) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 17,472 officially reported cases, 227 deaths, 2,159 cases in active isolation, and 15,086 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 16.8.

DPHSS Prepares for Expansion of COVID-19 Booster Shots
DPHSS is preparing to integrate the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) newly authorized COVID-19 booster shots for Moderna and Johnson and Johnson/Jannsen into its vaccination campaign. DPHSS officials and its US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) Immunization Advisor are communicating with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials for guidance on ACIP recommendations.

In the meantime, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shots are still available for those who meet the current eligibility criteria. 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 years and older
• Anyone age 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
• Anyone 18 years and older 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 institutional settings

For additional information on eligibility, CLICK HERE. 

October 23 Tiyan Drive-Through Testing Relocated to Micronesia Mall
In anticipation of inclement weather, COVID-19 drive-through community testing originally scheduled to be held at the Old Carnival Grounds in Tiyan on Saturday, October 23 has been temporarily relocated to the Micronesia Mall underground parking garage on the Pay-Less side. 

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

COVID Results Email Service Restored
The email address used to request for COVID-19 test results has been restored. Individuals seeking a copy of their COVID-19 test results may send a request to [email protected]. Further instructions will be provided via email to patients before COVID-19 test results are sent. 

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 21, 77 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 25 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 116 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 122,678 (90.01%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 11,924 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 110,754 fully vaccinated adults. 7,281 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 194 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.

Click here to view SATURDAY COVID TESTING