JIC RELEASE NO. 302 - Two Additional GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19; Two GFD Firefighters Test Positive For COVID-19; Saturday, Sept. 5 Community Testing for Registered Participants Only - 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.

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

Two Additional GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19

On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed that two additional employees tested positive for COVID-19. One case was identified at both Merizo Martyrs Memorial School and M.U. Lujan Elementary School. Both cases were identified through contact tracing.

The GDOE is working closely with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) to conduct contact tracing and close contacts of the confirmed cases will be contacted directly by DPHSS.

Areas of both campuses have been identified for cleaning and disinfecting. GDOE employees will not have access to these areas until cleaning has been completed.

Two GFD Firefighters Test Positive For COVID-19

On Sunday, a Guam Fire Department (GFD) firefighter began feeling ill, with an elevated temperature, while on duty at the Tamuning Fire Station. The member was secured from duty and instructed to isolate at home. The following day, the individual was tested, and because the results came back positive for COVID-19, mandatory home isolation, as per DPHSS guidelines, was ordered.

On Monday, another member of GFD stated they had been feeling ill. Following the GFD wellness policy, the member informed the station Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of their symptoms. The firefighter, assigned to the Dededo Fire Station, was instructed to follow guidance from DPHSS and self-quarantine until being tested for COVID-19 yesterday afternoon. GFD received the positive test results from the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) and the member was ordered to continue home isolation procedures.

Interviews were conducted at both stations and it was determined that no personnel met the close contact criteria at the Tamuning Fire Station; however, because of the closer quarters and additional Rescue personnel at the Dededo Fire Station, the possibility of close contact spread was significantly increased.

After decontamination of the entire station and apparatuses was conducted at both locations, personnel were also reminded to continue strict adherence to the safety directives and to continue social distancing both on and off duty.

Saturday, Sept. 5 Community Testing for Registered Participants Only

DPHSS, in collaboration with the Government of Guam and the Mayors’ Council of Guam, is providing COVID-19 testing to the first 200 people who have registered with the Talofofo Mayor’s Office. Testing is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Talofofo Gym. Registration for this event is now closed. All others who have not registered will be turned away.

For the safety of the community and the nurses, only four (4) people are allowed to be tested per vehicle. Testing is free and open to the first 200 people that have already pre-registered. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Individuals who have registered are asked to bring an ID, if one is available.

Pre-registration will be required for the COVID-19 Drive-Through and Walk-In Testing in Umatac on Saturday, September 19, 2020. While pre-registration is currently not open, further details will be provided once available.

To receive individual COVID-19 test results, send a request to covidresults@dphss.guam.gov. Further instructions will be provided via email to patients before COVID-19 test results are sent.

Those who were unable to register for Saturday’s testing and are 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, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Missed calls or calls going to voicemail will be returned.

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. 302 - Two Additional GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19; Two GFD Firefighters Test Positive For COVID-19; Saturday, Sept. 5 Community Testing for Registered Participants Only