JIC RELEASE NO. 772 - 146th and 147th COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reviewed and Adjusted to 149; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 45; COVID-19 Test Results: 206 New Cases; Additional COVID-19 Updates

146th and 147th COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 146th and 147th COVID-19-related fatalities occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on August 28, 2021.

The 146th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on August 28, 2021. The patient was an 84-year-old male, unvaccinated with underlying health conditions who had tested positive for COVID-19. 

The 147th COVID-19-related fatality also occurred at GMH on Sunday, August 28, 2021. The patient was a 56-year-old male, unvaccinated with underlying health conditions, and had tested positive for COVID-19. 

“Josh, Jeff, and I offer our deepest condolences to their friends and families. Let us continue to fight against COVID-19 to prevent further pain and tragedy. We can all play a part in making this community stronger. Please get vaccinated and protect the ones you love,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reviewed and Adjusted to 149
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Chief Medical Officer and Territorial Epidemiologist, in coordination with the Acting Chief Medical Examiner, have been conducting a review of all possible COVID-19-related deaths. This coordinated review process has resulted in the classification of two (2) additional deaths as COVID-19-related and has brought Guam’s current COVID-19-related death count to 149.

A review of all death certificates has revealed two additional COVID-19 related deaths from last year which were not previously reported to DPHSS:

• a 67-year-old female, unvaccinated, with multiple comorbidities, whose death occurred on October 13, 2020 at the Guam Memorial Hospital. The COVID-19 vaccine was unavailable at that time. 
• a 55-year-old female, unvaccinated, whose death occurred on December 31, 2020 at the Guam Memorial Hospital. The patient was ineligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at that time.

45 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 26 Unvaccinated
The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC), and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

COVID-19 Test Results: 206 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, DPHSS reported two hundred-six (206) new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,714 tests performed on August 30. Fifty-five (55) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date there have been a total of 10,559 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 149 deaths, 1,415 cases in active isolation and 8,995 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 43.8.

COVID-19 Testing Continues Through Saturday, September 4
Free COVID-19 testing continues at the locations and times below: 

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. 

Ten GDOE Students, Three Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed ten (10) positive cases for COVID-19 involving students, and three (3) positive cases involving employees. Student cases were identified at Adacao Elementary School, Finegayan Elementary School, Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School, Inarajan Middle School, Simon Sanchez High School, and three separate cases were identified at John F. Kennedy High School. Employee cases were identified at Adacao Elementary School, Jose L.G. Rios Middle School, and Simon Sanchez High School. In collaboration with the DPHSS, GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index case in order to schedule testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas of the campuses are taking place.

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

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of August 30, 437 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 98 residents received their dose in the single-dose series and an additional 268 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 109,370 (80.25%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 8,932 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 100,438. 

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.