JIC RELEASE NO. 1115 - COVID-19 Test Results: 64 New Cases, 25 Hospitalized; COVID-19-related Fatalities Adjusted; Additional COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Test Results: 64 New Cases Reported

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 64 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,306 specimens collected August 17, 2022. Eight (8) of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 57,104 officially reported cases, 389 deaths, 488 cases in active isolation, and 56,227 not in active isolation.

25 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 13 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 55 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 4 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-related Fatalities Adjusted

After a review of all possible COVID-19-related deaths, one previously counted COVID-19-related death has been removed and the COVID-19-related fatality count has been adjusted to 389. 

SNAP Emergency Allotment (EA) to be Released this Friday, August 19
DPHSS announces that the SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment for August 2022 will be released on August 19, 2022. The supplemental benefits will be electronically loaded into the SNAP recipients’ EBT cards. For questions or additional information, please contact the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) at these numbers:

•  BES North (Dededo) at 671-635-7488/635-7484/635-7439/635-7396/635-7429

•  BES Central (RAN-Care in Tamuning) at 671- 300-8853/300-8854/300-8850/300-8865

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Available at Northern Region Community Health Center
On August 9, DPHSS received 100 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Novavax vaccine on July 13. According to the CDC, the Novavax vaccine is a two-dose adjuvanted vaccine that is administered intramuscularly in deltoid muscle in adults 18 years of age or older.   The Novavax vaccine is a two-dose primary series with three to eight weeks between dose one and dose two. Currently, the Novavax vaccine is not authorized for any booster dose. In addition, individuals who complete their primary series with two doses of Novavax vaccine are not eligible for a booster dose at this time. The Novavax vaccine will be available at the DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center in Dededo.

DPHSS mAb Treatment Center Open at Paseo Stadium

Bebtelovimab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms) is available at the DPHSS mAb treatment center at the Paseo Stadium in Hagåtña from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closes for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 

To schedule treatment at the DPHSS mAb treatment center, patients must call 671-998-4527 or 671-998-4547, have a current, laboratory confirmed COVID–19 infection and a referral from a prescribing physician. For more information about Bebtelovimab and other mAb treatment options on Guam, visit dphss.guam.gov/mab or dial 311 from a local number and select option 1 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 6 Months and Older Available at DPHSS CHCs

The Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines are authorized for use in children from six months of age and older. In most children, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months through five years will be a two-dose primary series with four to eight weeks between dose one and dose two. In most children, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months through four years will be a three-dose primary series three to eight weeks between dose one and dose two, and at least eight weeks between dose two and dose three.

Requirements for minors to receive the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at DPHSS vaccination clinics and outreach events:

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

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

• Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

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

Incentives Offered for COVID-19 Vaccination Series Completion and Boosters

A program administered by the government of Guam is providing incentives to individuals 12 years of age and older who maintain their COVID-19 vaccinations who are completing their last dose in primary series; OR receiving 1st Booster Dose OR 2nd Booster Dose. Eligible residents will be offered an incentive (alcohol and tobacco items excluded) while supplies last. Gift certificates will only be offered at vaccination clinics at NRCHC, SRCHC, the Agana Shopping Center, and senior citizen outreach clinics, while supplies last. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update

As of August 17, 2022, 139,795 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,010 residents 12 – 17 years old. 8,975 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,330 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 187 residents 6 months – 4 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 68,270 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 11,877 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.