JIC RELEASE NO. 1138 - COVID-19 Test Results: 22 New Cases, 13 Hospitalized; COVID-19-related Fatalities Adjusted; 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/. 

COVID-19 Test Results: 22 New Cases Reported
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 from 362 specimens collected September 20, 2022. Two (2) of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 58,452 officially reported cases, 400 deaths, 182 cases in active isolation, and 57,870 not in active isolation.

13 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 32 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.

COVID-19-related Fatalities Adjusted, Five COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified of five (5) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 396th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam (USNH) on August 2, 2022. The patient was a 78-year-old male, fully vaccinated without a booster, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on July 20.  
• The 397th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at USNH on August 8, 2022. The patient was an 89-year-old male, fully vaccinated with two boosters, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on July 12. 
• The 398th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at home on August 11, 2022. The patient was an 89-year-old female, fully vaccinated with two boosters, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on July 28.
• The 399th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on August 11, 2022. The patient was an 80-year-old female, without any record of vaccination, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on August 2.
• The 400th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at home on August 13, 2022. The patient was an 85-year-old male, without any record of vaccination, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on July 26.

“We continue to endure more loss and heartache because of this pandemic, and to their families and loved ones, know that our hearts and prayers go out to you in this difficult time,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Again, we are reminded that as we look to the future and embrace recovery, the basics remain in place: stay up to date with your vaccinations, stay home when you are sick, get tested if you are exposed or experiencing symptoms, and take extra precautions among our vulnerable, at-risk populations.” 

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 20, 2022, 140,100 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,054 residents 12 – 17 years old. 9,077 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,446 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 248 residents 6 months – 4 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 70,633 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 12,656 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.