JIC RELEASE NO. 279 - Governor Signs Executive Order No. 2020-28; Critical Business Hotline Available;GBHWC Crisis Hotline Available 24/7; Saturday, August 22 Community Testing Postponed - 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.

As of August 20, there have been a total of 704 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 6 deaths, 381 not in isolation, and 317 cases in active isolation. Of those cases, 578 are classified as civilians and 126 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/.

Governor Signs Executive Order No. 2020-28
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2020-28, relative to ordering Guam residents to stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying home.

Effective at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020, and to continue for an initial period through 12:00 p.m. on August 28, 2020, and with the concurrence of the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) as expressed in DPHSS Directive No. 34, all persons in Guam are directed to stay at home, subject to limited exceptions such as obtaining food and household necessities, going to and from work at critical businesses, as identified in applicable DPHSS Guidance, seeking medical care, caring for dependents or pets, or caring for a vulnerable person in another location.

The Government of Guam (GovGuam) will continue to operate but without public access. All GovGuam agencies shall suspend all customer service functions, except for those functions critical to the health and safety of the community. GovGuam employees shall work from home unless their in-person services are deemed critical by their respective agencies.

All businesses other than those designated as "Critical Businesses" under applicable DPHSS Guidance issued pursuant to this Executive Order, shall close temporarily.

Pursuant to Section 3317, Article 3, Chapter 3 of Title 10, Guam Code Annotated, all public gatherings or congregations are prohibited.

All GovGuam parks and beaches shall be closed to all activities.

Effective 12:00 p.m., Friday, August 21, 2020, all places of business or public accommodations shall close and be prohibited from on-site operations. This prohibition on operations shall not apply to specifically enumerated businesses as set forth in applicable DPHSS Guidance, which shall include the following: health care operations, including home health workers; operation of public transportation and utilities; grocery stores, farmers’ markets, drive-thru food sales at restaurants, food delivery, food banks, convenience stores; businesses and non-profit organizations that provide for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities; pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities; gas stations; garbage collection; and hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses.

Other businesses and service providers not specifically mentioned above may request permission to operate from the DPHSS. The DPHSS may grant such allowance if it determines that the requested service is necessary to assist in the protection of life and health and if such service cannot be delayed for the one week period during which the closures set forth in this Order are in effect.

To preserve the health and safety of students, their families, school staff, and the public and to provide continuity of education during the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuant to Section 3317, Article 3, Chapter 3 of Title 10, Guam Code Annotated, all public schools buildings and facilities shall be closed to all employees unless their in-person services are deemed critical by the Guam Department of Education. Instructors may continue providing distance learning services to the extent possible from their homes. Private schools shall be closed to all employees, but may likewise provide distance learning services from home.

Pursuant to Section 3333, Article 3, Chapter 3, Title 10, Guam Code Annotated, all persons entering Guam shall be subject to quarantine pursuant to this Section and Sections 19604 and 19605 of Article 6, Chapter 19, Title 10, Guam Code Annotated. Such quarantine will be administered in accordance with applicable DPHSS Guidance, which shall include quarantine in a government qualified facility.

Businesses that would like to request permission to operate are advised to call 300-6579 or email dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

Critical Business Hotline Available
For more information, contact the critical business hotline at the following numbers, operational Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.:

475-9473
475-9390
475-4770
475-3221
475-9213

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, ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

Saturday, August 22 Community Testing Postponed
Community Testing previously scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the St. Francis Church and School Parking Lot in Yona has been postponed. A new date will be announced at a later time.

Due to the large number of samples submitted for COVID-19 testing to the Guam Public Health Laboratory (GPHL), DPHSS is informing patients that there will be a delay in issuing individual test results.

Patients can expect to receive their results within seven days. The most vulnerable, including health care workers and those who are close contacts to a positive case, are prioritized. Patients who have not received their results within seven days may contact the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) at (671) 635-7525/6. Patients can opt to receive their COVID-19 test results via DPHSS’ Guam Community Health Center (CHC) secure email service by sending a request to covidresults@dphss.guam.gov. Further instructions will be provided via email to patients before COVID-19 test results are sent. Note, DPHSS cannot send your test results by email if you were tested at a private clinic or hospital.

Patients experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are advised to call their health care provider. If a patient does not have a regular health care provider, they can call the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) at (671) 635-7525/6 to schedule an appointment. The NRCHC COVID-19 testing is available by appointment only.

Those experiencing symptoms can also call 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) 480-7859/83
(671) 480-6760/63
(671) 687-7321
(671) 685-0358
(671) 687-6170 (ADA Dedicated Number)

The DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline is available from Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Missed calls or calls going to voicemail will be returned within the day.

Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section Closed Until Further Notice DPHSS would like to inform the public that the Division of Environmental Health’s (DEH) Processing Center Section, which issues Health Certificates, Sanitary Permits, and Guam Controlled Substances will be closed effective 12 p.m., August 21, 2020 until further notice. All Food Safety Health Certificate Training Courses scheduled after 12 p.m. on August 21, 2020 and until August 28, 2020 are cancelled; these courses will be rescheduled. All Health Certificates expiring on August 21, 2020 through August 30, 2020 will remain valid until further notice.

Please follow DEH on Facebook (facebook.com/guamdeh) or Instagram (instagram.com/guam_deh) for up-to-date information. Should you have any questions, please contact DEH at 300-9579 or via email at dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

20.0821 - Executive Order No. 2020-28 - Relative to Ordering Guam Residents to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 by Staying Home

Business Hotline-01

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.

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. 279 - Governor Signs Executive Order No. 2020-28; Critical Business Hotline Available;GBHWC Crisis Hotline Available 24/7; Saturday, August 22 Community Testing Postponed