JIC RELEASE NO. 762 - 145th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 24; Cumulative Results: 188 of 2,678 Test Positive for COVID-19; Eight GDOE Students Test Positive for COVID-19; UPDATE: COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule; Food Commodit

145th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified that Guam’s 145th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Sunday, August 22, 2021. The patient was an 88-year-old male with underlying health conditions and unvaccinated. The patient had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 14, 2021. 

“We are facing a harsh reality each day, one where our loved ones are at risk,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “COVID-19 continues to test our community, and we must continue doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our people so we can avoid such tragic loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to him and his loved ones.”

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, or need to talk to someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

24 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 20 Unvaccinated
The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) and the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 7 p.m.:

Cumulative Results: 188 of 2,678 Test Positive for COVID-19
To date, there have been a total of 9,486 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 145 deaths, 682 cases in active isolation and 8,659 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 15.2.

Cases officially reported to DPHSS on Monday reflect results confirmed from Friday to Sunday. 

Today, an additional ninety-two (92) cases of COVID-19 were officially reported to DPHSS. These 92 cases were confirmed over a three day period, between August 20-22, 2021. 

From August 20 – 22, a total of 188 new cases of COVID-19 were officially reported. Ninety-six (96) of these cases were previously reported by the JIC on Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22, 2021 and reflect results reported from DPHSS. The breakdown of reporting to DPHSS by day is as follows: 

• 35 on August 20
• 24 on August 21
• 33 on August 22 

Of the 188 cases, 75 cases were identified through contact tracing. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of August 21, 832 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 158 residents received their dose in the single-dose series and an additional 350 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 107,145 (78.61%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 8,600 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 98,545. 

Eight GDOE Students Test Positive for COVID-19
On Monday, August 22, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed eight positive cases for COVID-19 involving students. The cases were identified at Agana Heights Elementary School, C.L. Taitano Elementary School, Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School, Merizo Martyrs Memorial Elementary School, Inarajan Elementary School, Luis P. Untalan Middle School, John F. Kennedy High School, and Tiyan High School. In collaboration with DPHSS, GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index cases in order to schedule testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS to return to campus. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas of the campuses are taking place to ensure schools are ready for regular hours of operation on Tuesday, August 24.

August 14 – 23: School-Level COVID-19 Tracking (Student Cases) Number of positive student cases reported during this period

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

UPDATE: COVID-19 Testing Continues Through Saturday, August 28
Free COVID-19 testing continues seven days a week at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Daily testing will run through Saturday, August 28, 2021. Only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing will be performed. Up to 400 tests will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Samples will be collected through nasopharyngeal swabs. No symptoms are needed. Bring a photo ID. 

COVID-19 test results can be expected within 24 hours. To receive results via email, send a request to [email protected]. For quicker service, visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing to download, print, and complete a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form before arriving at the testing site. 

Only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. 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. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at DPHSS drive-thru testing sites and must be scheduled with the Northern Region Community Health Center (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.