JIC RELEASE NO. 259 - Simon Sanchez High School Closes Following Positive COVID-19 Case;New Hours of Operation for DPHSS Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center - GHS OCD

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The Joint Information Center will report cumulative COVID-19 test results once a day, unless unavailable.

To date, there have been a total of 449 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 5 deaths, 341 released from isolation, and 103 active cases. Of those cases, 398 are classified as civilians and 51 are military service members.

For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard and Situation Report at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.

Simon Sanchez High School Closes Following Positive COVID-19 Case
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is working closely with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) to conduct contact tracing after a confirmed COVID-19 case was identified at Simon Sanchez High School.

On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, the GDOE was notified that an employee at Simon Sanchez High School tested positive for COVID-19. The contact tracing effort is ongoing and close contacts of the confirmed case will be contacted directly by DPHSS. A close contact is an individual who has come in face-to-face contact with a confirmed COVID-19 individual for at least 10 minutes or more and within six feet, or who has had direct contact with infectious secretions of the confirmed COVID-19 individual (e.g. being coughed on). Both the confirmed case and close contacts will not be permitted to return to campus until cleared by DPHSS.

Beginning Thursday, August 13, 2020, Simon Sanchez High School will fully close for the remainder of this week. The school is expected to reopen by the first day of classes on Monday, August 17, 2020.

Daily precautions are taken at GDOE school sites to safeguard the health and safety of employees, students, and families. Not only are schools cleaned and sanitized daily, but other safety precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to include the following: required face coverings for all students and staff; temperature screening upon arrival; 6 feet physical distancing; regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and common areas; and encouraging students/employees to wash hands and sanitize often.

New Hours of Operation for the DPHSS Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section
The Processing Center Section (PCS) for DPHSS’ Division of Environmental Health (DEH) will be open under new hours of operation. DEH’s PCS issues Health Certificates, Sanitary Permits, and Guam Controlled Substances Registrations. The section will begin processing at 8:00 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m., and will be closed for lunch. Effective August 12, 2020, PCS will institute the following office hours:

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, except on observed Government of Guam Holidays

For further information or questions, please contact PCS at 300-9579.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. 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 CONTACT TRACING

Click Here to View TYPES OF COVID CONTACT

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. 259 - Simon Sanchez High School Closes Following Positive COVID-19 Case;New Hours of Operation for DPHSS Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center