JIC RELEASE NO. 196 - Update on AAFB Cluster; COVID-19 Contact Tracing; JRM Extends Public Health Order; DPHSS Releases Guidance Memo 2020-26; SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment Issuance for June 2020

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The cumulative total from all labs will be reported on a nightly basis, unless unavailable. 

To date, there have been a total of 226 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 5 deaths, 174 released from isolation, and 47 active cases. Of those cases, 184 are classified as civilians, and 42 are military service members—35 of which have been recently identified among a unit deployed to Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB). 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/. 

Update on AAFB Cluster
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) received reports of persons with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) who frequented several establishments on Guam related to a cluster from a unit deployed to AAFB. Case investigation is ongoing and DPHSS has determined that potential exposure to staff and patrons may have occurred.

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. It is primarily spread by direct contact with respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. You may also get it by touching a contaminated surface or object, and then touching your face. Symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness.

As more establishments open up, with more people patronizing businesses and restaurants, it will be more likely that possible exposures can occur. All people in our community need to continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.

It is important to note that the vast majority of these identified establishments are restaurants, with take-out and dine-in options. Since establishments have been practicing guidelines for social distancing with ordering and seating arrangements, the DPHSS has assessed that some of these locations may have low risk of close contact or prolonged exposure to these COVID-19 cases. Out of an abundance of caution, DPHSS is notifying the public of all locations involved in the AAFB cluster, including those that may be low risk.

The DPHSS is asking people who frequented the following establishments from June 4 through June 13, 2020 to monitor their health. DPHSS will announce a testing site and date for next week. Individuals may also be tested at their doctor’s office.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Annette L. Aguon, Administrator, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at 735-7143.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing
People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19:

• If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, an employee (case investigator) from the Department of Public Health and Social Services might call you to check-in on your health, discuss who you’ve been in contact with and, and ask you to stay at home to self-isolate.
  • Unless you give permission, your name will not be revealed to those you came in contact with, even if they ask.
  • DPHSS will ask you to stay at home and self-isolate.
    • Self-isolation means staying at home in a specific room away from other people and pets, and using a separate bathroom, if possible.
    • Self-isolation is critical to protecting those who you live with as well as your community.
    • Self-isolation helps slow the spread of COVID-19 and can help keep your friends and neighbors healthy.
    • If you need support or assistance while self-isolating, then your health department or community organizations may be able to provide assistance.
  • Seek medical care if symptoms become severe. Severe symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

Close Contacts of someone with COVID-19:

• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, an employee from the DPHSS (contact tracer) might call to inform you that you’ve been exposed. They will ask you to stay at home and self-quarantine.
  • Close contact means you were within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes.
  • You should stay at home and self-quarantine for 14 days, starting from the most recent day that you were possibly exposed to COVID-19. The contact tracer will inform you of the dates of your self-quarantine.
    • Self-quarantine means staying home, monitoring yourself, and maintaining social distancing (at least 6 feet from others at all times). You should remain in a specific room separate from other non-exposed people and pets in your home, and use a separate bathroom, if possible.
    • If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a cloth face covering.  This will help protect the people around you.
    • If you need support or assistance with self-quarantine, then your health department or community organizations may be able to provide assistance.
    • Self-quarantine helps slow the spread of COVID-19 and can help keep your friends and neighbors healthy.
  • You should monitor yourself for any symptoms of COVID-19 and notify DPHSS if you develop symptoms. Seek medical care if symptoms become severe. Severe symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

 
Joint Region Marianas Extends Public Health Order
In light of the response to COVID-19, and the ongoing investigation and contact tracing related to last week's increase in positive COVID-19 cases among Department of Defense (DoD) personnel on Guam, the Joint Region Marianas Public Health Order has been extended until 8 a.m. July 1, 2020, unless rescinded sooner. 

Accordingly, all Navy, Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard active duty service members stationed onboard Guam remain prohibited from dining in at restaurants and visiting bars. 

In addition, as of June 18, 2020, service members both permanently and temporarily assigned to Andersen Air Force Base must still limit travel to essential trips only (i.e. grocery shopping, gas station, post office, pharmacy visits, transit to and from work and individual outdoor exercise.) Dependents are also highly encouraged to limit travel to essential trips only. This policy will remain in effect until further directed. Please visit the Andersen Air Force Base Facebook page for additional information: https://www.facebook.com/Andersen36WG/ 

All DoD civilian employees and family members are encouraged to continue to practice all precautionary measures to include social distancing, hygiene, and the wear of face masks. All DoD-affiliated civilians are also reminded to follow all DPHSS policies while exercising appropriate personal responsibility.

 
DPHSS Releases Guidance Memo 2020-26
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) released Guidance Memo 2020-26 relative to the minimum requirements for employee health, cleaning and disinfecting, ventilation, social distancing, and other protective measures for the operation of cosmetology establishments, including school of cosmetology, which is now authorized to operate. 

SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment Issuance for June 2020
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotment for the month of June 2020 has been successfully released. These benefits have been electronically loaded into the SNAP recipients EBT cards.

As a reminder, the law authorized the issuance of emergency supplemental benefits to households receiving SNAP up to the maximum allowable SNAP monthly benefit for a household’s size. Calculation is based on the number of eligible household members. Households that already received the maximum benefit for their household’s size will not receive an additional emergency allotment.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please call the numbers below or send an email to publicassistance@dphss.guam.gov.

• BES North (Dededo) at (671) 635-7488; 635-7484; 635-7439; 635-7396 or 635-7429
• BES Southern (Inarajan) at (671) 828-7542; 828-7534 or 828-7524
• BES Central (Castle Mall) at (671) 735-7340; 735-7519; 735-7256; 735-7344 or 735-7375

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 2020-26 Minimum Requirements for Operations of Cosmetology Establishments (06-24-20)