JIC RELEASE NO. 1136 - COVID-19 Test Results: 41 New Cases, 12 Hospitalized; Updates to COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Schedule; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Special Note: Joint Information Center (JIC) releases, as they relate to COVID-19 results, will transition to twice weekly updates as opposed to daily. Additional JIC releases throughout the week will be issued on an as needed basis. To view the most up to date COVID-19 information, including weekday surveillance summary reports, visit http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/. 

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 41 New Cases Reported

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 41 new cases of COVID-19 from 598 specimens analyzed from tests administered September 16 – 18, 2022:

• September 19: 9 of 151 test positive for COVID-19

• September 18: 11 of 162 test positive for COVID-19

• September 17: 21 of 285 test positive for COVID-19

Seven (7) of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 58,411 officially reported cases, 395 deaths, 170 cases in active isolation, and 57,846 not in active isolation.

12 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 6 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 24 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.

395th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported

The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 395th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital on September 18, 2022. The patient was a 62-year-old male, fully vaccinated with two boosters, with unknown underlying health conditions who tested positive on September 18. 

“Jeff, Josh, and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to those who loved him. May they find peace and comfort in this difficult time,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “While we have fully embraced recovery from this pandemic, we cannot forget the mitigation measures that brought us to where we are today. We continue to ask our community to stay on top of your vaccinations, stay home if you are sick, and to wear your mask, especially among our most vulnerable.”

Bivalent Boosters Available at DPHSS Vaccination Clinics
On September 2, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the use of new bivalent formulations of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as a booster dose.

A single booster dose of bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (for individuals age 12 years and older) or bivalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (for individuals age 18 years and older) may be given at least 2 months after completion of a monovalent primary series or any prior monovalent booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.  This new booster recommendation replaces all prior booster recommendations only for people 12 years and older.  At this time, there is no change to the monovalent vaccine schedules for children age 6 months through 11 years.  Children age 5 through 11 years who have received a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series should continue to receive one monovalent booster dose.

• People must first complete at least a primary series with the original monovalent vaccine before receiving a single bivalent booster at least 2 months later.

• People may receive either brand of bivalent vaccine that is age-appropriate; there is no preference and no need to match the brand of the primary series.

• This recommendation is for a one-time booster. ACIP does not anticipate recommendations for frequent (e.g., every few months) booster doses of bivalent vaccine.  

• COVID-19 vaccines may be co-administered with all other routinely recommended vaccines, including influenza vaccine.

The updated boosters are available at the DPHSS vaccination clinics at NRCHC, SRCHC, Agana Shopping Center, and our extended outreach vaccination events.
 

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. Additionally, 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 Monovalent Booster OR Bivalent Booster. 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 September 16, 2022, 140,072 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,054 residents 12 – 17 years old. 9,074 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,441 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 236 residents 6 months – 4 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 70,547 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 12,570 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.