JIC RELEASE NO. 1156 - Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 135 New Cases Reported December 13–19; Seven Hospitalized; One COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 135 New Cases Reported December 13 – 19

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 135 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,219 specimens analyzed from tests administered December 12 – 18, 2022:

• December 19: 4 of 131 test positive for COVID-19

• December 18: 13 of 104 test positive for COVID-19

• December 17: 16 of 182 test positive for COVID-19

• December 16: 26 of 195 test positive for COVID-19

• December 15: 23 of 183 test positive for COVID-19

• December 14: 25 of 194 test positive for COVID-19

• December 13: 28 of 230 test positive for COVID-19

To date, there have been a total of 59,709 officially reported cases, 411 deaths, 75 cases in active isolation, and 59,223 not in active isolation.

Seven Hospitalized for COVID-19

COVID-19-related Fatalities Adjusted, One COVID-19-related Fatality Reported

The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 411th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the U.S. Naval Hospital on November 16, 2022. The patient was an 88-year-old male, without a record of vaccination, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on November 16. 

“Jeff, Josh, and I pray for his family, that they may find comfort in one another during this difficult time,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Although the holidays are a time to celebrate, we must remember those that are grieving during this period and comfort loved ones that need it most.”

DPHSS Closes COVID-19 Treatment Center at the Paseo Stadium

Effective Monday, December 5, 2022, DPHSS closed the COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Center at the Paseo Stadium in Hagåtña. Bebtelovimab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), had been offered for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients. It will no longer be offered in Guam as a treatment for COVID-19 due to the high proportion of resistant variants. There are currently no authorized monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 at this time. Paxlovid and Molnupiravir remain effective treatments against currently circulating variants and emerging variants.

To receive the oral treatments, you must have a current laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection and a referral from a prescribing physician. For more information, call 311 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. or call 671-998-4527 or 671-998-4547.

COVID-19 Testing Available at The Plaza Shopping Center

Residents may seek free COVID-19 testing at The Plaza Shopping Center in the Dusit Beach Resort from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m,  Monday through Saturday, except on observed Government of Guam holidays. Those who need ADA accommodations for curbside testing in their vehicles may call 671-998-4530. No symptoms are needed for COVID-19 testing at The Plaza Shopping Center. Additional COVID Testing sites are listed below: 

Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters Available

Infants 6 months and older are eligible to receive the Moderna COVID-19 bivalent booster at the Guam Community Health Centers in Dededo and  Inalåhan. DPHSS encourages residents of all ages to be up to date on their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations and boosters in order to protect their friends and family this holiday season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting an omicron-specific (bivalent) booster, which targets the original strain of the coronavirus as well as more recently circulating variants (BA.4 and BA.5). The original vaccines, called monovalent vaccines, will no longer be available as booster doses. Only the Moderna COVID-19 bivalent booster is available to infants 6 months and older, who completed their Moderna primary series.

The Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is recommended for individuals 6 months to 4 years of age as the third dose to complete the primary series, at least two months since the second shot in their primary series. A booster dose is not authorized for children in this age group who already completed the Pfizer 3-dose primary series. The Pfizer bivalent booster is also available to individuals 5 years of age or older, regardless of which vaccine was taken for their primary series or monovalent booster as long as it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccination series or since they have received the monovalent COVID-19 booster dose.

The Moderna COVID-19  bivalent vaccine is recommended for individuals 6 months to 5 years if they received the Moderna monovalent vaccine as their primary series and it has been at least two months since the last dose in their primary series. The Moderna bivalent booster is also available to individuals 6 years of age or older, regardless of which vaccine was taken for their primary series or booster as long as it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccination series or since they have received the monovalent COVID-19 booster dose.

The most important thing residents can do to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19 and the flu this holiday season is to be up to date with their vaccinations.

The updated Pfizer BioNTech bivalent vaccine and Moderna bivalent boosters are available at the DPHSS vaccination clinics at The Plaza Shopping Center, NRCHC, SRCHC, and our extended outreach vaccination events.
 

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

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update – As of December 9, 2022

As of December 9, 2022, 140,737 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,314 residents 12 – 17 years old. 9,287 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,658 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 321 residents 6 months – 5 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 82,906 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 13,946 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.