JIC RELEASE NO. 748 - 18 COVID-19 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified on Guam Forty-eight of 1,060 Test Positive for COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule; Three GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19; Food Commodities Distribution

The community is reminded to remain vigilant:

• Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Watch your distance. 
• Get vaccinated. Tune into local media and the latest JIC releases for vaccine availability. 
• Stay home if you are sick, keep away from others who are sick.
• Keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet from others who are not in your household.
• Practice social distancing around elderly family members.
• Businesses and services may implement more stringent COVID-19 measures as they see fit, such as physical barriers, social distancing, and limited occupancy.

18 COVID-19 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified on Guam

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) received eighteen (18) new results from virus samples collected on Guam, which have undergone genome sequencing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DPHSS received the eighth set of results from the CDC. Eighteen (18) of the twenty-one (21) samples received were identified as Variants of Concern (VOC):

• Thirteen (13) B.1.1.7 (Alpha)
• Five (5) B.1.617.2 and AY.3 (Delta)

To date, 179 SARS-CoV-2 virus samples have been submitted to the CDC for genome sequencing and identified a total of sixty-nine (69) COVID-19 cases infected with variants. DPHSS previously reported variants from results from the CDC and identified the following:

• fifty (50) cases identified with the B.1.1.7 Alpha variant 
• fourteen (14) cases identified with the B.1.429 Epsilon variant 
• three (3) cases identified with the B.1.351 Beta variant
• one (1) case identified with the B.1.617.2 Delta variant 
• one (1) case identified with the  P.1 Gamma variant

Of the 18 cases reported, one reported travel history and was identified in quarantine. All other cases had no known travel history. Of the thirteen cases who were vaccine eligible, only one was fully vaccinated. DPHSS continues to send samples to the CDC for genome sequencing.

Results: 48 New Cases of COVID-19
Forty-eight (48) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 1,060 tests performed on August 10. Twenty-one (21) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 8,817 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 143 deaths, 268 cases in active isolation – inclusive of eight (8) hospitalized cases with one (1) hospitalized case receiving ICU-level care, and 8,406 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 9.0.

Guam COVID-19 vaccination update: As of August 10, a total of 104,797 or 76.89% of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) have received either both doses in the two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), or the single dose series (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) of the COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage includes 7,746 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 97,051.

Three GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed three separate incidents where employees tested positive for COVID-19, one each at Finegayan Elementary School, Machananao Elementary, and Jose Rios Middle School. In collaboration with DPHSS, the GDOE has identified and notified all close contacts who will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS. Areas of the campuses have been cleaned and disinfected and are ready for regular hours of operation on Thursday, August 12.

UPDATE: COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations and times below:

• Starting Saturday, August 14, and for the next five Saturdays until September 18, a drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held at the parking lot across from the School of Business and Public Administration of the University of Guam from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Starting Monday, August 16, COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held at the Micronesia Mall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., everyday, except on Sundays, through September 4, at the second floor of the mall, above center court.

The Northern Region Community Health Center in Dededo continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations every Monday from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. and every Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m, and  at the Southern Region Community Health Center in Inalåhan, every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Bring a photo ID. Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. To view the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccination clinics, visit dphss.guam.gov/vaccinategu.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for GovGuam Employees & Families
DPHSS continues its vaccination clinic for Government of Guam employees and their families on Saturday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Guam drive-through COVID-19 vaccination POD in Mangilao. Please show your employee ID. For those needing their second dose please bring your shot card. Executive Order 2021-17 mandates that all government employees under the executive branch must be fully vaccinated no later than Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Employees will be required to provide proof of their vaccination to their supervisor or authorizing official upon completion. 

Special Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine:

• must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• must provide government-issued identification to validate minor’s age
• must provide minor’s birth certificate
• parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued ID. 
• guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents.

Homebound Vaccination Requests
DPHSS and the University of Guam (UOG) Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (CEDDERS) have partnered to service all homebound requests. Individuals who would like to make a request for homebound COVID-19 vaccinations should call 311, option 2, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, to schedule an appointment. 

Free COVID-19 Testing at Tiyan Continues This Week
DPHSS continues COVID-19 community testing through Saturday, August 14 at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Testing is free and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. 

Only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Results available onsite. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent/legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form on behalf of the minor to be tested for COVID-19. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at DPHSS drive-thru testing sites and must be scheduled with NRCHC by calling 671-635-7525/6. 

The community is reminded to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they are identified as close contacts to confirmed positive cases, or are experiencing any of the known COVID-19 symptoms which include, but are not limited to:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath 
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not exhaustive of all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Food Commodities Distribution Continues
GDOE, State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Nutrition Service distribution will be available to village constituents only on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution is limited to three households per vehicle at the sites. Face masks must be worn. Bring a photo ID. 

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.