JIC RELEASE NO. 780 - 152nd and 153rd COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 63; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 201 New Cases; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule; Additional Updates

152nd and 153rd COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified that Guam’s 152nd COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) at approximately 10:03 a.m. on September 5, 2021. The patient was a 70-year-old male, unvaccinated, and had tested positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, a review of death certificates has revealed another COVID-19-related death. Guam’s 153rd COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on August 25, 2021. The patient was a 34-year-old female, unvaccinated, and had tested positive for COVID-19. 

“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those lost to this deadly virus,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “COVID-19 knows no bounds; with no location completely free of it, no age completely safe from it. Because of this, we must create boundaries around our community. We can do this by getting vaccinated, wearing our masks around those outside of our household, and practicing social distancing.”

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.

63 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 31 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.:

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 201 New Cases of COVID-19 from Sept. 4-6
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported sixty (60) new cases of COVID-19 out of 480 tests performed on September 6. Twenty-four (24) cases were identified through contact tracing.

An additional one hundred forty-one (141) cases were also reported today as a result of complete analysis and case submissions from other clinics for preliminary COVID-19 test results reported September 4 – 6. Official case counts for the past weekend results are as follows:

• September 4: 166 of 1,052 test positive for COVID-19 (93 cases previously reported). Eighty-eight (88) cases were identified through contact tracing.   
• September 5: 139 of 1,078 test positive for COVID-19 (93 cases previously reported). Sixty-three (63) cases were identified through contact tracing. 
• September 6: 23 of 265 test positive for COVID-19 (1 case previously reported). Nine (9) cases were identified through contact tracing.

To date, there have been a total of 11,494 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 153 deaths, 2,054 cases in active isolation, and 9,287 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 39.4.

Special Note: Free COVID-19 community testing is not available on government or observed holidays. There was no free COVID-19 community testing on Monday, September 6. 

Free COVID-19 Testing Schedule

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. 

Individuals waiting for COVID-19 test results must quarantine at home until cleared by DPHSS. Individuals whose test results are positive and who are at high risk for serious illness will be given information on outpatient monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 

Five GDOE Students, Five Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed positive cases for COVID-19 involving five (5) students and five (5)  employees. Student cases were identified at Finegayan Elementary School, Jose L.G. Rios Middle School, and Okkodo High School. Additionally, two separate cases were identified at Wettengel Elementary School. Employee cases were identified at Captain H.B. Price Elementary School, Merizo Martyrs Memorial Elementary School, Agueda I. Johnston Middle School, Luis P. Untalan Middle School, and Okkodo 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.

P-EBT Updates
DPHSS will continue distributing Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Cards through Saturday, September 11. The P-EBT is federally funded and offered through the Food and Nutrition Services of the United States Department of Agriculture.

P-EBT Cards distribution is as follows:

Parents who visited the troubleshooting table at the initial site at the Micronesia Mall and were informed they will be contacted about their children’s cases do not need to schedule an appointment. You will be notified when you can pick up your child’s card.

School-aged students are eligible for P-EBT if they:

• were eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP); or
• received such meals because their school is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) but did not receive meals at school due to COVID-related closures or virtual learning.

Requirements for P-EBT distribution are as follows:

• Registration at tinyurl.com/pebtguam   
• Valid picture ID such as a Driver’s License, Guam ID, military ID or Passport. Photocopies of IDs are not accepted.
• Written authorization is not acceptable.
• You must be the registered parent/guardian for your child with GDOE. If you are not the registered parent/guardian, a P-EBT card WILL NOT be issued to you. If your child is an active member in another SNAP household, then a card will be issued to the head of household in that SNAP case.
• P-EBT Cards are issued to Child Protective Services (CPS) for children identified as a ward of the court or under the care of CPS. They will be contacting families directly.
• If the parent/guardian name is not listed, a DPHSS P-EBT Student Verification of Enrollment Form will be issued at the distribution site. This form will be taken back to the child’s respective school, where GDOE staff will complete and validate the form. Parents will then return the form to the troubleshooting table at the distribution site.
• Individuals, who have legal and/or temporary custody or Power of Attorney (POA), please ensure the guardianship is recorded and reflected in GDOE's PowerSchool system.

Benefits may be available between 12 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the dates specified above. P-EBT benefits are valid for one (1) year. School-aged students are eligible for P-EBT if they:

• were eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP); or
• received such meals because their school is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) but did not receive meals at school due to COVID-related closures or virtual learning.

For more information, please contact the P-EBT call center by calling 311 and dialing option 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of September 6, 195 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 27 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 155 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 111,217 (81.60%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 9,051 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 102,166. 

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.