JIC RELEASE NO. 836 - Three COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reported; Governor Signs Executive Order No. 2021-27; COVID-19 Updates: 111 New Cases, 57 Hospitalized; Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Continues; DPHSS Job Fair Saturday, October 30, 2021; Foo

Three COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified of three (3) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 236th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on October 14, 2021. The patient was a 68-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on September 24. 
• The 237th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at GRMC on October 28, 2021. The patient was a 64-year-old male, partially vaccinated. He tested positive on October 10. 
• The 238th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at GRMC on October 28, 2021. The patient was a 57-year-old male, unvaccinated. He tested positive on October 10. 

“This pandemic continues to test us, and losing more loved ones to this virus reminds us that we must continue to fight back and protect ourselves and our loved ones from infection,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Let's honor the lives and legacies of all those lost to this disease by staying our course, getting vaccinated and doing everything we can to reduce our risk of exposure. Jeff, Josh, and I send our heartfelt condolences to their families and friends.”

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

Governor Signs Executive Order No. 2021-27
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2021-17, relative to extending the public health emergency for an additional thirty (30) day period. The public health emergency is now scheduled to expire on November 29, 2021. 

57 Hospitalized for COVID-19

SPECIAL NOTE: Based on today's data, if we were to compare two (2) hypothetical populations of 100,000 people each, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there would be 22 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 237 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 11 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated.

COVID-19 Test Results: 111 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 111 new cases of COVID-19 out of 889 tests performed on October 28. 40 cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 18,151 officially reported cases, 238 deaths, 2,220 cases in active isolation, and 15,693 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 18.8.

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (first two doses), the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• Anyone age 65 years and older
• Anyone age 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
• Anyone 18 years and older with an elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their occupation (e.g. healthcare workers, law enforcement, fire, K-12 teachers and support staff, university faculty, daycare employees, food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, USPS workers, corrections workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers) or institutional settings.

For individuals who received the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. 

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Continues
DPHSS, in partnership with the Mayors’ Council of Guam and the Guam National Guard, continues to offer outpatient monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center in Mangilao. Patients may receive mAb therapy if they meet the eligibility criteria through a referral from their private physician, a COVID-19 community test site, or a hospital. A Pre-Screening Assessment has been developed to guide individuals who may be eligible for mAb treatment. To schedule an appointment, call 671-998-4627 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 671-734-9203 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, CLICK HERE.

DPHSS Job Fair Saturday, October 30, 2021
DPHSS, in partnership with the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL), will host a job fair on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Jobs Center, Bell Tower, in Anigua. DPHSS is looking to fill 70 positions for COVID-19 response to assist in community outreach, processing of laboratory specimens, case investigation, health disparities, administrative duties, nursing, and other functions. Applicants can begin preparing an application packet which should include official proof of identity, work eligibility, a resume, and a high school diploma, GED, college degree, or transcripts from a recognized accredited institution. For more information, visit dphss.guam.gov/careers. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of October 28, 73 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 38 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 117 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 123,651 (90.72%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 12,052 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 111,599 fully vaccinated adults. 9,513 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 2,011 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.