JIC RELEASE NO. 14 - 3 Test Positive for COVID-19; Practice Social Distancing, Older Adults Most at Risk - GHS OCD

The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 20 individuals for COVID-19 on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Seventeen tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

A total of 65 tests were performed from March 12, 2020 through March 18, 2020. To date, a total of eight cases tested positive and 57 cases tested negative for COVID-19. The Government of Guam (GovGuam) is aggressively implementing its planned COVID-19 response to identify and contain transmission of COVID-19 in Guam. With any change in status, anticipate timely notification.

Three New Positive Cases
The results received Wednesday night confirm three additional positive cases. All three new cases remain in isolation.

COVID-19 Response Continues
As part of the GovGuam’s coordinated COVID-19 response, the DPHSS continues contact tracing for the eight positive COVID-19 cases identified this week. The contact tracing investigation includes identifying close contacts of the individuals. Close contacts may include family members and co-workers who will be quarantined and actively monitored by DPHSS for 14 days after their last contact with the case.

Additionally, GovGuam has instituted COVID-19 Mandatory Quarantine Protocol (MQP) measures for all incoming travelers from the Philippines. Any and all travelers arriving without these credentials will be subject to mandatory quarantine.

Anticipate Lengthy Waits due to Airport Screening
Family members of individuals arriving to Guam should be advised that there may be lengthy wait times at the Guam International Airport due to arrival screenings. Those waiting for arriving travelers should anticipate wait times before travelers are allowed to exit the airport. Families of arriving passengers should also be aware that certain travelers will be subject to quarantine.

Older Adults and People with Serious Chronic Medical Conditions are Most at Risk
Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

Older adults
People who have serious chronic medical conditions like
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Lung disease

Guidance for those at Higher Risk
If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.

Stock up on supplies.
Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
Avoid crowds as much as possible.
Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
During a COVID-19 outbreak, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.

COVID-19 Screening and Testing
Testing for COVID-19 is ONLY available for people who meet the testing criteria. If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please call your health care provider. If a patient does not have a regular health care provider, they can call any of the Community Health Centers or the DPHSS Hotline numbers listed below to report symptoms and obtain guidance from clinicians.

(671) 480-7859
(671) 480-6760/3
(671) 480-7883

These numbers are operational daily, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are limited to medical-related inquiries only.

Do Your Part to Practice Social Distancing
In an effort to prevent local transmission of COVID-19, children and adults are encouraged to practice social distancing. Events of more than 50 people are prohibited and everyone should take steps to put distance between themselves and others. Social distancing includes avoiding high fives, shaking hands, hugs, or close contact with others. Community spread is defined as cases that cannot be traced back to a traveler or to those who came in contact with a person who has coronavirus.

Take Steps to Slow the Spread of the Coronavirus
Even if you are young or otherwise healthy, you are at risk, and your activities may increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Work from home whenever possible.
If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as health care services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule and your employers should follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to protect your health at work.
Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 50 people.
Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts. Use drive-through pick up or delivery options.
Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
Do not visit nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities.
Practice good hygiene.
- Wash your hands especially after touching any frequently used item or surface
- Avoid touching your face
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow
- Disinfect frequently used items and services as much as possible

Stay Up to Date with Reputable Sources
It is important to note that the situation can change quickly. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:

CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
DPHSS website: http://dphss.guam.gov/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-n-cov/
GHS/OCD website: https://ghs.guam.gov/coronavirus-covid-19

For media inquiries, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC RELEASE NO. 14 - 3 Test Positive for COVID-19; Practice Social Distancing, Older Adults Most at Risk