JIC RELEASE NO. 952 - Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 499 New Cases, 45 Hospitalized; UOG Vaccination Clinic Hours to Change Starting Saturday; SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment for February 2022; Additional

Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported

Today, the Joint Information Center was notified of two (2) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 297th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on February 6, 2022. The patient was an 81-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on January 19, 2022.

• The 298th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on February 6, 2022. The patient was a 70-year-old male, vaccinated, with no known underlying health conditions who tested positive on February 6, 2022. 

“Jeff, Josh, and I express our deepest sympathies to their families during this difficult time,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Just as our community's healthcare workers are doing all they can to prevent further turmoil, we too must do our part to combat this pandemic. Continue to wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance, and please get vaccinated and boosted to ensure maximum protection from severe illness.”
 

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.

Older Adults, People with Serious Chronic Medical Conditions are Most at Risk for Serious Complications and Death Due to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19

Older adults and individuals with serious chronic medical conditions are most at risk for serious complications and death due to COVID-19. Serious chronic medical conditions include:

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Lung disease

• Obesity

• Immunocompromised conditions (e.g. cancer, lupus)

• Chronic liver disease

• Chronic renal disease

• Neurologic or neurodevelopmental condition

• Current or former smoking

45 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 20 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 225 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. *Estimated population is based on DPHSS Immunization Program analysis of 2020 Census data. Updates are expected pending further Census 2020 data breakdown.

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 499 New Cases Reported February 5 – 7

From February 5–7, 2022, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 499 new cases of COVID-19. 113 of these cases were reported through the Department of Defense. The 499 new cases does not include cases previously reported in JIC Release No. 950 and 951. The breakdown of the cumulative results is below:
 

• February 7: 53 of 397 test positive for COVID-19

• February 6: 579 of 1,510 test positive for COVID-19 (344 cases previously reported). 

• February 5: 608 of 1,905 test positive for COVID-19 (397 cases previously reported).

To date, there have been a total of 36,612 officially reported cases, 298 deaths, 5,722 cases in active isolation, and 30,592 not in active isolation.

Tiyan COVID-19 Outreach Appointment-Based Testing

Community COVID-19 testing at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada has transitioned to an appointment-based system with extended hours. Unscheduled drive-ups will be accepted on a limited basis. For the safety of the community and swabbers, only four (4) adults per vehicle are allowed to be tested. To schedule an appointment, visit tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme. 

DPHSS continues to support diagnostic testing for COVID-19 but will be prioritizing COVID-19 testing to target individuals with a likelihood of severe disease, hospitalization, or death due to COVID-19. The DPHSS Screening Guide Memorandum lists the criteria for who may get tested for COVID-19.  CLICK HERE to view the guide.

Fill out a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form ahead of time, available at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. 

Schedule Changes to COVID-19 Vaccination Support Clinic 

Beginning February 12, the COVID-19 vaccination support clinics for families of children with disabilities will operate from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. These clinics are also open to the community. 

UOG Vaccination Clinic Saturday Hours to Change 

Beginning Saturday, February 12, 2022, and every Saturday thereafter, the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the UOG Field House will operate from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note the changes to the schedule.

After-school COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Continues

DPHSS, in partnership with the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), continues after-school vaccination clinics open to the community. All eligible students, with parental consent, are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:

• Parent/legal guardian must provide minor’s birth certificate 

• Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued photo identification (ID)

• Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

• Guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents

SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment for February 2022

DPHSS announces that the SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment for February 2022 will be released on February 18, 2022. Benefits will be electronically loaded into the SNAP recipients’ EBT cards. For more information, contact:

• BES North (Dededo) at 635-7488/635-7484/635-7439/635-7396/635-7429

• BES Central (RAN-Care) at 300-8853/300-8854/300-8850/300-8865

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 

As of February 6, 2022, a total of 133,620 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,204 residents 12 – 17 years old. 6,904 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 4,672 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 431 residents received their booster shots and a total of 52,672 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.