JIC RELEASE NO. 491 - 119th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported; Results: 31 of 1,165 Test Positive for COVID-19; Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2020-43;Firefighter Tests Positive for COVID-19

119th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 119th COVID-19-related fatality occurred on December 9, 2020 at approximately 5:22 a.m. The patient was a 44-year-old male with underlying conditions and expired at home. He was a known COVID-19 case. 

"To his family and friends, Jeff, Lt. Governor Josh, and I express our sincerest condolences and sympathies. We hope you find peace, comfort, and love to help you through this time of sorrow," said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. "This virus is ruthless in how it isolates us from one another. While we remain the safest at a distance, please check in on your friends and family to see how they are coping. We may be safest from a distance, but let's not let this virus break our ties to each other."

Results: 31 New Cases of COVID-19 

Thirty-one (31) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 1,165 tests performed by the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) on Sunday, December 13, 2020, and tests from additional labs from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13. One (1) case was identified through contact tracing. Two (2) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine.

To date, there have been a total of 7,137 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 119 deaths, 526 cases in active isolation and 6,492 not in active isolation.

The COVID Area Risk (CAR) Score accounts for the incidence of new cases, how well current testing identifies these cases, and the rate of spread. Given the recent surges, Guam’s first step has been to achieve a sustained CAR Score of 5.0 and below. The ideal long-term goal is to sustain a CAR Score of 2.5 or less, which has been shown to correlate with very low to zero COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. To learn more about the CAR Score, visit Strive for Five.

The following tables provide COVID-19 test results reported to the Joint Information Center on Monday, December 14 and reflects results from additional labs from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13:

Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2020-43

Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2020-43 relative to amending restrictions on the operation of businesses and activities during Pandemic Condition of Readiness 1 (PCOR 1). 

• PANDEMIC CONDITION OF READINESS 1. Guam continues to be in PCOR I, during which some of the most restrictive conditions are imposed in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
• CONTINUED "SAFER AT HOME" ADVISORY. All individuals, especially vulnerable persons, are encouraged to continue to minimize travel outside the home. When it is necessary to leave the home, all persons are instructed to exercise mitigation measures outlined in applicable DPHSS Guidance, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. "Vulnerable persons" means individuals sixty-five (65) years and older or individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy.
  • MANDATORY SOCIAL DISTANCING. All authorized activities under this Order shall be conducted utilizing mitigation measures including, but not limited to, social distancing of at least six (6) feet and posting of appropriate signage; frequent cleaning of all surfaces; mandating the wearing of face masks unless engaged in physical exercise.
  • SOCIAL GATHERINGS OR CONGREGATIONS. A "congregation" or "social gathering" is a meeting for a common and singular purpose of more than one (1) person where the individuals are not members of a single household. Effective at 8:00AM on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, social gatherings or congregations shall be limited to no more than ten (10) persons, unless otherwise provided herein or in applicable Department of Public Health and Social Services ("DPHSS") guidance.
    • PLACES OF WORSHIP. Effective at 8:00AM on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, eligible places of worship may resume services, ceremonies, and operations, at no greater than fifty percent (50%) occupancy load. Places of worship intending to operate under this modified occupancy load must submit revised facility mitigation plans to DPHSS in order to operate under this Section. Places of worship shall additionally observe all mitigation measures imposed in applicable DPHSS guidance, including, but not limited to, social distancing of at least six (6) feet and posting of appropriate signage; frequent cleaning of all surfaces; and mandating the wearing of face masks. Congregants of places of worship operating under this Section shall follow all mitigation measures imposed in furtherance of DPHSS Guidance.  
  • OPERATION OF AUTHORIZED BUSINESSES. Authorized businesses, occupancy load limitations and mitigation requirements are set forth in applicable DPHSS guidance.
  • OUTDOOR RECREATION. In addition to previously authorized individual exercise and activities, additional limited outdoor recreation is authorized as provided herein and in applicable DPHSS guidance.
    • PUBLIC PARKS AND BEACHES. Effective at 8:00AM on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, all Government of Guam parks and beaches shall be open to the public. As indicated above, to the extent individuals congregate at public parks and beaches, such congregations shall be limited to no more than ten (10) persons, unless otherwise provided herein or in applicable DPHSS guidance.
    • PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS. Effective at 8:00AM on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, private community swimming pools and public swimming pools are authorized to operate subject to applicable DPHSS guidance. To the extent individuals congregate at swimming pools, such congregations shall be limited to no more than ten (10) persons.
• PRIOR ORDERS REMAIN IN EFFECT. All prior Executive Orders remain in full force and effect except to the extent they conflict with this Order.

Firefighter Tests Positive For COVID-19
On Monday, a Guam Fire Department firefighter assigned to the Inarajan Fire Station tested positive for COVID-19. The firefighter remains in isolation at home. Emergency operations continue, with adjustments made in scheduling for the firefighters assigned. A thorough decontamination of all rooms and common areas was performed at the Inarajan Fire Station.  

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
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 experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

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 EO2020-43

Click here to view 20.1214 SSD to Speaker Barnes re Executive Order No. 2020-43 - Relative to Amending Restrictions on the Operation of Businesses and Activities During Pandemic Condition of Readiness 1 (PCOR 1)