JIC RELEASE NO. 1159 - Report Positive COVID-19 At-home Test Results to DPHSS; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 224 New Cases Reported January 4–9; Nine Hospitalized; Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Report Positive COVID-19 At-home Test Results to DPHSS

Report positive COVID-19 at-home and over the counter (OTC) test results to the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) via email: dphss.surveillance@dphss.guam.gov. You must report your positive result within 24 hours and provide the following information:

• Full Name
• Date of Test
• Contact Number
• Results
• Date of Birth
• Test Manufacturer

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 224 New Cases Reported January 4 – 9

Today, DPHSS reported 224 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,038 specimens analyzed from tests administered January 3–8, 2023:

• January 9: 0 of 47 test positive for COVID-19

• January 8: 27 of 238 test positive for COVID-19

• January 7: 31 of 96 test positive for COVID-19

• January 6: 41 of 227 test positive for COVID-19

• January 5: 46 of 446 test positive for COVID-19

• January 4: 79 of 984 test positive for COVID-19

To date, there have been a total of 60,311 officially reported cases, 414 deaths, 111 cases in active isolation, and 59,788 not in active isolation.

Nine Hospitalized for COVID-19

Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported

The Joint Information Center was notified of three (3) COVID-19-related fatalities reported:

• The 412th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital on January 1, 2023. The patient was an 86-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on December 25, 2022. 

• The 413th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City on January 3, 2023. The patient was a 58-year-old male, vaccinated without boosters, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on January 3, 3023. 

• The 414th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital on January 7, 2023. The patient was a 90-year-old female, vaccinated without boosters, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on January 7, 2023. 

“We extend our sincerest condolences to their families and friends,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Although the Public Health Emergency has expired, we must keep in mind those in our community who continue to suffer losses from this deadly virus and do our part to protect one another as best as we can. Recognize symptoms of COVID-19, get tested if you are sick, and seek treatment if needed.” 

Treating COVID-19 with Oral Medications Available by Prescription

Oral treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and must be started within days of when you first develop symptoms to be effective. 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 who do not have COVID-like symptoms, 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 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 January 6, 2023

As of January 6, 2023, 140,870 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,355 residents 12 – 17 years old. 9,359 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,710 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 353 residents 6 months – 5 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 82,927 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 14,361 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.