JIC Release No. 10 - Two New Cases Test Positive for COVID-19 - GHS OCD

The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 20 individuals for COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Two tested positive, and 18 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

A total of 46 tests were performed from March 12, 2020 through March 17, 2020. To date, a total of five cases tested positive and 41 cases tested negative for COVID-19. It is important to note that the spread of COVID-19 is a dynamic situation and information may change as it develops.

Two New Positive Cases
The test results were made available late Tuesday afternoon. The preliminary investigation indicates that one of the recently confirmed cases has a familial connection to two prior confirmed cases announced on March 15, 2020. Today’s second unrelated case had recent travel history to the Philippines. All five confirmed cases are currently in isolation.

GovGuam Continues COVID-19 Response
The Government of Guam continues to aggressively implement its response to prevent and contain transmission of COVID-19 in Guam. DPHSS has been actively conducting contact tracing for the first three positive COVID-19 cases identified on Sunday, and has also launched contact investigations for the latest confirmed cases. The contact tracing investigation includes identifying close contacts of the individuals. Close contacts will be quarantined and actively monitored by DPHSS for 14 days.

COVID-19 Screening and Testing
Testing for COVID-19 is ONLY available for people who meet the testing criteria. If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider. You can also call these numbers to speak with a DPHSS registered nurse: (671) 480-7859; (671) 480-6760/3; (671) 480-7883. These numbers are operational daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are specific to medical-related questions, only.

Residents Urged to Practice Social Distancing
On Monday, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero ordered a 14-day suspension of all non-essential government operations, ordered the closure of schools, and prohibited large gatherings effective immediately. During this time, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all children and adults are encouraged to practice social distancing. Individuals should avoid large groups and take extra measures to put distance between themselves and others to reduce the risk of being exposed to this new virus. Social distancing includes avoiding high fives, shaking hands, hugs, or close contact with others.

Do Your Part to Slow the Spread of the Coronavirus
Even if you are young or otherwise healthy, you are at risk, and your activities may increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Work from home whenever possible.
If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as health care services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule and your employers should follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to protect your health at work.
Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 50 people.
Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts. Use drive-through, pick up or delivery options.
Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
Do not visit nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities.
Practice good hygiene.
- Wash your hands especially after touching any frequently used item or surface
- Avoid touching your face
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow
- Disinfect frequently used items and services as much as possible

Stay Up to Date with Reputable Sources
It is important to note that the situation can change quickly. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:

CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
DPHSS website: http://dphss.guam.gov/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-n-cov/
GHS/OCD website: https://ghs.guam.gov/coronavirus-covid-19

For media inquiries, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC Release No. 10 - Two New Cases Test Positive for COVID-19