JIC RELEASE NO. 1162 - Report Positive COVID-19 At-home Test Results to DPHSS; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 141 New Cases Reported January 24–30; 11 Hospitalized; One COVID-19-related Fatality 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:

For more information, CLICK HERE or visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing/

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 141 New Cases Reported January 24 – 30

Today, DPHSS reported 141 new cases of COVID-19 from 937 specimens analyzed from tests administered January 23–29, 2023:

• January 30: 4 of 41 test positive for COVID-19

• January 29: 6 of 79 test positive for COVID-19

• January 28: 31 of 139 test positive for COVID-19

• January 27: 15 of 145 test positive for COVID-19

• January 26: 33 of 185 test positive for COVID-19

• January 25: 34 of 223 test positive for COVID-19

• January 24: 18 of 125 test positive for COVID-19

To date, there have been a total of 60,761 officially reported cases, 416 deaths, 75 cases in active isolation, and 60,270 not in active isolation.

11 Hospitalized for COVID-19

One COVID-19-related Fatality Reported

The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 416th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital on January 13, 2023. The patient was a 34-year-old male, with underlying health conditions, and without any record of vaccination who tested positive on January 13, 2023. 

“Our deepest condolences are offered for his family and friends,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “We have seen this virus affect so many and must continue our efforts to fight against COVID-19; including getting vaccinated if you have not done so, monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and avoid others if you are sick.” 

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 either a current home test showing your positive test result for a COVID-19 infection or 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 Until Tuesday, Jan. 31; Available at the Agana Shopping Center starting Feb. 1

Residents who are not experiencing 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 all DPHSS vaccination clinics. 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.

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 all DPHSS vaccination clinics at The Plaza Shopping Center, NRCHC, SRCHC, and our extended outreach vaccination events.
 

Starting Feb. 1, Incentives Offered for COVID-19 Vaccination Series Completion and Bivalent Boosters

A CDC grant awarded to DPHSS titled “Guam's Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities (HDG)” is providing incentives to individuals who are completing their last dose in the primary series OR receiving their Bivalent Booster. Eligible residents will be offered a $20 gift certificate (alcohol and tobacco items excluded) beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, while supplies last. Gift certificates will be offered at all DPHSS vaccination sites, while supplies last.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 6 Months and Older Available at all DPHSS Vaccination Clinics

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 27, 2023

As of January 27, 2023, 140,955 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,378 residents 12 – 17 years old. 9,388 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,738 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 373 residents 6 months – 5 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 82,928 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 14,742 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.