JIC RELEASE NO. 787 - Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; Arrival of FEMA Team Delayed; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 71; COVID-19 Test Results: 219 New Cases; Additional Updates

Two COVID-19-related Fatality Reported

The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified of two (2) additional COVID-related fatalities reported on September 13, 2021:
 

• The 169th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at Guam Memorial Hospital. The patient was a 52-year-old male, with unknown vaccination records and unknown underlying health conditions who tested positive on September 13. 
• The 170th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at Guam Regional Medical City. The patient was an 84-year-old male, fully vaccinated, with underlying health conditions who was a known positive case. 

“Josh, Jeff and I are saddened by more news of precious lives who have succumbed to this virus, and we pray that their family and friends find healing and comfort in these difficult times,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “The greatest degree of anguish and torment that follows death is felt by many, especially by those who have lost loved ones to this awful disease. We continue to plead with everyone to do everything necessary to stop the spread.” 

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.

Watch for Emergency Warning Signs for COVID-19
In accordance with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) guidance, 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.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19 and seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you are experiencing any of the following warning signs of COVID-19:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

Arrival of FEMA Team Delayed
The arrival of the three five-member teams who will be supporting Guam’s ongoing COVID-19 response has been temporarily delayed due to scheduling reasons. The teams are now expected to arrive on Guam the week of September 24. These team members will assist in providing outpatient monoclonal antibody therapy. The teams are deploying to Guam as part of a request for assistance (RFA) made by DPHSS to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Two clinical laboratory scientists with the US Public Health Service arrived Friday and are assisting the Guam Public Health Laboratory. Additionally, two other personnel have also deployed to Guam to assist in logistics. This week Health and Human Services Region IX Regional Health Administrator Commander Matthew C. Johns and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Regional Emergency Coordinator Commander Nick Munoz are on Guam to conduct COVID-19 site assessments and provide feedback to local and federal counterparts.

Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center, which was expected to begin Wednesday, September 15, has been postponed pending the arrival of the FEMA administration team.

71 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 38 Unvaccinated
GMH, GRMC, and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

COVID-19 Test Results: 219 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported two hundred nineteen (219) new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,720 tests performed on September 13. Eighteen (18) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 12,772 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 170 deaths, 2,014 cases in active isolation, and 10,588 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 43.9.

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.

UPDATED: COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 

Isolation Clearance Letters Available for Pick Up at DPHSS Hagåtña Office
Isolation clearance letters are available for pick up for those who were in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Isolation is a period of 10 days from the date of onset of symptoms for symptomatic patients, or 10 days from the date of specimen collection for asymptomatic patients. Isolation may be discontinued at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared, or at least 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medication and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. For asymptomatic patients, isolation may be discontinued 10 days from the date of positive specimen collection. 

These clearance letters may be provided to your employer or school. Clearance letters for those who tested positive for COVID-19 between August 9 to September 5 will be available at the DPHSS main office located at 155 Hesler Place in Hagåtña today through Thursday, September 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For directions to the DPHSS main office, visit https://goo.gl/maps/BXUTfi4Z2fqeD7UT8. 

Six GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed positive cases for COVID-19 involving Six (6) employees. The employee cases were identified at Finegayan Elementary School, Machananao Elementary School, Talofofo Elementary School, and Agueda I. Johnston Middle School. Additionally, two cases were identified at Daniel L. Perez Elementary 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.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of September 13, 141 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 28 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 444 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 113,436 (83.23%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 9,366 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 104,070.

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.