JIC RELEASE NO. 17 - Information Regarding GMHA Patient; DPHSS Seeks Homes for Foster Children - GHS OCD

To date, a total of 12 cases tested positive for COVID-19 on Guam. 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.

COVID-19 Response Continues
As part of the GovGuam’s coordinated COVID-19 response, the DPHSS continues contact tracing for the twelve 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. Any and all travelers arriving without these credentials will be subject to mandatory quarantine.

Addressing Information Regarding a GMHA Patient
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) issued a circular to all GMHA employees and medical staff members informing them of a recent update on a COVID-19-positive patient. The circular addresses a recent incident that occurred on the third floor, Medical-Surgical Inpatient Adult Unit, wherein the patient was placed in a private room with a closed door.

It was only when a radiological procedure was completed a few days later that a physician determined the individual may have the COVID-19 virus infection. As soon as GMHA received the information, all appropriate isolation measures were instituted. Although it is the standard protocol for GMHA to place patients suspected of COVID-19 in an isolation room, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that if an isolation room is not available, a known COVID-19 patient can be placed in a private room with a closed door.

DPHSS Seeks Homes for Foster Children
A viral message has circulated, claiming that a shelter was being shut down due to a government lock down. While there is no validity to a government lock down nor a shelter closing, DPHSS is seeking the community’s assistance in providing homes for foster children who are residing in group homes and others who are in dire need of a loving and stable foster home. If you know of anyone who is a U.S. Citizen or resident alien residing on Guam, is 18 years or older, and is willing to provide a home for these children, please contact Grace Iwashita at the Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA) of the Division of Public Welfare, at 475-2653 or 2673.

Salvation Army Programs Open
The Salvation Army Guam programs including the Lighthouse Recovery Center (LRC), Family Services Center, Client Child Food Pantry, and Administration are all open and taking appointments for assistance in Tiyan. The Salvation Army also continues services in terms of picking up and distributing prepared food and delivering to senior’s homes.

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. 17 - Information Regarding GMHA Patient; DPHSS Seeks Homes for Foster Children