JIC RELEASE NO. 897 - COVID-19 Test Results: 17 New Cases, 6 Hospitalized; COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Center Closed; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Closed Friday and Saturday; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Six 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 3 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 15 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 5 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated. *Estimated population is based on DPHSS Immunization Program analysis of 2020 Census data. Updates are expected pending further Census 2020 data breakdown.

COVID-19 Test Results: 17 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported seventeen (17) new cases of COVID-19 from 684 tests on December 20. Two (2) cases were identified through contact tracing. One (1) case reported recent travel history and was identified in quarantine. To date, there have been a total of 19,407 officially reported cases, 270 deaths, 228 cases in active isolation, and 18,909 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 0.9.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of December 20, a total of 128,335 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 12,538 residents 12 – 17 years old. 4,380 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 2,031 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 142 residents received their booster shots and a total of 36,363 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Center Closed
As of Friday, December 17, 2021, the University of Guam (UOG) Call Center that was stood up to assist DPHSS with requests for vaccination verification has been closed. The service was previously provided in line with DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 REV 11, for individuals who received the COVID-19 vaccine on Guam. To request for a vaccination verification, you may contact the Guam Immunization Program office at 671-735-7143 between 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

In accordance with DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 REV14, travelers vaccinated in Guam, whose vaccination information are verifiable utilizing the WebIZ application, will not be required to present a secondary form of vaccine verification. Additionally, travelers may now sign a declaration attesting to COVID-19 vaccination under penalty of perjury upon arrival. 

COVID-19 Booster Shot Eligibility 
Adolescents 16 and 17 years of age who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (first two doses) are eligible for a single booster shot at least 6 months or more after their initial series. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 16 and 17.

Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:

• Parent/legal guardian must provide minor’s birth certificate 

• Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued photo identification (ID)

• Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

• Guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents

Fill out a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form ahead of time, available at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. Individuals waiting for COVID-19 test results must quarantine at home until cleared by DPHSS. Test results are available via email by sending a request to [email protected]