JIC RELEASE NO. 150 - Updated Quarantine Protocol; GPD Monitor for Fraudulent Checks; Expanded Testing Continues; GBHWC Crisis Hotline Available; Parks and Beaches Reopen, Limited Restroom Accessibility - GHS OCD

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided this evening once all tests from today are finalized.

To date, there have been 172 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths, 144 released from isolation, and 23 active cases. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice. For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard and Situation Report at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.

Updated Quarantine Protocol
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 relative to the new protocol for the quarantine of travelers into Guam to be effective Monday, June 1, 2020.

Current, returning, and intended residents of Guam, persons who are essential healthcare or other essential workers as defined in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11, or persons who traveled to Guam because of an emergency or personal hardship situation may be allowed to complete the 14-day quarantine requirement at their home residence or rented lodging location. They must provide valid Guam ID, mayor’s verification, OR sign a declaration of residency upon arrival.

Non-residents will still be subject to quarantine at the GovGuam designated quarantine facility. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, with the nasopharyngeal swab taken at most one week prior to arrival, is still necessary to self-quarantine at a non-government quarantine facility, such as their rental lodging.

Fraudulent Checks
The Guam Police Department (GPD), working with local partners, continues to respond to any reports of the use of fraudulent checks, more recently the use of fraudulent Economic Impact Payment (EIP) or stimulus checks. GPD reminds businesses where check cashing is appropriate to examine checks carefully and always request and verify identification before cashing the checks.

The community is reminded to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the EIP as cover schemes to steal personal information and/or money. Remember, the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) will not call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds.

Expanded COVID-19 Testing Continues
DPHSS, in collaboration with the Government of Guam (GovGuam), private, and federal agencies continue expanded COVID-19 testing next week. Please bring an I.D., if one is available. The expanded testing schedule follows:

COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing:

Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Yigo Gym
- Free and open to Yigo residents
Friday, June 5, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Sinajana Mayor's office
- Free and open to Sinajana residents
Tuesday, June 9, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the DPHSS Southern Regional Community Health Center parking lot, Inarajan
- Free and open to Inarajan residents
Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Mongmong-Toto-Maite Community Center, Aragon St., across Toto church
- Free and open to Mongmong-Toto-Maite residents
Thursday, June 11, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Merizo Senior Center
- Free and open to Merizo residents
Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Piti Mayor’s Office
- Free and open to Piti residents
Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Santa Rita Senior Center
- Free and open to Santa Rita residents
Thursday, June 18, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the St. Anthony Church grounds, Tamuning
- Free and open to Tamuning and Tumon residents

COVID-19 Walk-In Testing:

Thursday, June 4, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the GHURA Public Housing, Dededo
- Free and open to GHURA elderly and public housing residents in Dededo

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 Medical Triage Hotline Phone Numbers listed below to report symptoms and obtain guidance from clinicians, or call 311 and dial option number 1.

(671) 480-7859
(671) 480-6760/3
(671) 480-7883
(671) 687-6170 (ADA Dedicated Number)

GBHWC Crisis Hotline Available 24/7
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline that is available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or are needing to talk to someone, GBHWC has licensed experienced providers available.

The GBHWC Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The walk-up window is the access point until further notice.

Parks and Beaches Reopen, Limited Restroom Accessibility
In accordance with Executive Order 2020-16, effective 8 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020, all Government of Guam (GovGuam) parks and beaches were opened to the public.

Although the community can access the parks and beaches, there will be limited access to public restrooms as renovations are underway. If planning to go to the park or beach, be mindful that public restrooms may not be available. Bring hand sanitizer or wipes and always discard the trash after.

For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

Click Here to View DPHSS GUIDANCE MEMO 2020-11

Click Here to View COVID-19 Village Testing

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. 150 - Updated Quarantine Protocol; GPD Monitor for Fraudulent Checks; Expanded Testing Continues; GBHWC Crisis Hotline Available; Parks and Beaches Reopen, Limited Restroom Accessibility