JIC RELEASE NO. 903 - Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 26 New Cases; 9 Hospitalized; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Nine 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 5 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 23 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.

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 26 New Cases of COVID-19 December 24 – 27
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported five (5) new cases of COVID-19 from 50 specimens analyzed on December 26. An additional 21 cases were also reported today as a result of complete analysis and case submissions from other clinics for preliminary COVID-19 test results reported December 24 – 26. Official case counts for the past weekend results are as follows:

• 10 of 625 test positive for COVID-19 (four cases previously reported on December 24). Three (3) cases were identified through contact tracing.

• 12 of 248 test positive for COVID-19 (one case previously reported on December 25). Two (2) cases were identified through contact tracing.

• Four (4) of 43 test positive for COVID-19 (no cases previously reported on December 26). One (1) case was identified through contact tracing.

To date, there have been a total of 19,458 officially reported cases, 270 deaths, 239 cases in active isolation, and 18,949 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 1.1.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of December 23, a total of 128,785 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 12,538 residents 12 – 17 years old. 4,538 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 2,325 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 350 residents received their booster shots and a total of 37,798 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

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].