JIC RELEASE NO. 1001 - COVID-19 Test Results: 41 New Cases, 19 Hospitalized; DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1; COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Micro Community Fair Saturday

COVID-19 Test Results: 41 New Cases

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 41 new cases of COVID-19 from 339 specimens analyzed on March 24, 2022. 12 of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 47,050 officially reported cases, 340 deaths, 977 cases in active isolation, and 45,733 not in active isolation. Guam’s COVID-19 Community Level is MODERATE based on the latest available data of new COVID admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total), percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and new cases per 100,000 population (7-day total). Guam’s Community Level utilizes the same methodology as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Community Levels. 

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1

Today, DPHSS issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1, relative to information on authorized businesses and activities during PCOR 3 in accordance with Executive Order Nos. 2021-16, 2021-20, 2021-29, 2021-31, 2022-03, 2022-05, 2022-06, and 2022-08. DPHSS Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1 is effective immediately, and rescinds all previously issued DPHSS guidance memoranda but DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-27 Rev. 01, pertinent to the operations of the government of Guam, island businesses, schools, sporting and non-sporting events, funeral services, places of worship and its ceremonies, and graduations, during the public health emergency declared on Guam as first declared in Executive Order 2020-03. Requirements include set forth in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1 include:

• Congregations and social gatherings shall be limited to no more than two hundred fifty (250) persons for indoor activities, which shall include patrons, guests, participants, vendors, and employees. Outdoor congregations and social gatherings are not limited in number, though organizers must observe occupancy limits to ensure adequate social distancing, and additional requirements as provided in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1.

• Individuals are prohibited from attending or participating in a congregation or social gathering, if they tested positive for COVID-19 and are infectious, waiting for COVID-19 test result, showing COVID-19 symptoms, or a close contact with a person who has tested positive for, or who has symptoms of, COVID- 19.

• A party or group of individuals numbering two hundred fifty one (251) or more for indoors shall not attend or participate in the same event by claiming to be a separate party or group to circumvent the congregation and social gathering limitations provided in  DPHSS Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1.

For additional information, contact the Division of Environmental Health at 671-300-9579 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on government recognized holidays, or email, dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov. To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 1 in its entirety, CLICK HERE.

19 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 7 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 173 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 25 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 Vaccination Clinic at Micro Community Fair Saturday

DPHSS, in partnership with the FSM Consulate Office, the Neechuumeres Chuukese Women of Guam, the Micronesian Resource Center One Stop Shop, and the FSM Association of Guam, will be hosting a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the Micro Community Fair this Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m at the Dededo Sports Complex. Other health-related services will also be available. Walk-ins will be accepted. Please bring photo ID. For more information, call 671-789-1265 or 671-646-9154. 

Mangilao mAb Treatment Center 

Monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) treatment is available at the mAb Treatment Center at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Saturday. Patients must receive a referral from a physician to qualify for treatment at this center. To schedule an appointment, call (671) 998-4627 within 10 days of when symptoms started for best results.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update

As of March 24, 2022, a total of 135,841 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,800 residents 12 – 17 years old. 7,716 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 6,018 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 43 residents received their booster shots and a total of 56,769 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

Click here to view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2022-11 Amendment 01 (03-25-22)