JIC RELEASE NO. 536 - 125th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported;Results: 17 of 440 Test Positive for COVID-19;UPDATE: DPHSS Vaccination Clinic at Okkodo High School for Second Dose Patients January 18 and January 19; 7,200 Doses of Moderna Vaccines Arrive

125th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported

The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 125th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) last night at approximately 7:50 p.m. The patient was a 58-year-old male with underlying conditions. He was admitted to GMH on December 23, 2020 and tested positive upon admission. 

“Although many of us felt relief when we began our vaccination process, we cannot forget that this virus is still among us and continues to pose a real and serious danger. Jeff, Lt. Governor Josh, and I extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to his family and friends. May you find comfort in the memories you have and in the support of an island that mourns with you,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

Results: 17 New Cases of COVID-19

Seventeen (17) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 440 tests performed on Thursday, January 14. Four (4) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. Two (2) cases were identified through contact tracing.

To date, there have been a total of 7,474 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 125 deaths, 129 cases in active isolation and 7,220 not in active isolation.

1The COVID Area Risk (CAR) Score accounts for the incidence of new cases, how well current testing identifies these cases, and the rate of spread. 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. 

The following tables provide COVID-19 test results reported to the Joint Information Center on Friday, January 15 and reflects results from Thursday, January 14:

The following provides COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the Joint Information Center on Friday, January 15, 2021 for vaccinations administered from December 17 to January 14:

*Administering second doses of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 4, 2021.

**Administering first doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 8, 2021.

DPHSS Vaccination Clinic at Okkodo High School for Second Dose Patients Jan. 18 & 19

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Mayors’ Council of Guam (MCOG), Department of Public Works (DPW), Guam Department of Labor (GDOL), Guam Fire Department (GFD), Guam Police Department (GPD), Guam National Guard (GUNG), University of Guam (UOG) School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Serve Guam Commission which oversees the AmeriCorps Guam Program, will resume its COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Monday and Tuesday, January 18 and 19, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Okkodo High School in Dededo. This vaccination clinic is for Phase 1b 75 years and older and others who are due for their second dose, and received their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on December 28 or 29, 2020. 

DPHSS will issue tickets for vaccinations on a first-come, first-served basis. Patient Parking Instructions will be printed on the back of each ticket. Please read these instructions carefully. 

Those who are due for their second dose are reminded to bring their immunization card to the vaccination clinic so it may be properly documented. For the safety of the community, walk-ins will not be accepted. Please bring a photo ID.

Pre-screening Eligibility Vaccinations

In order to take the COVID-19 vaccine, you must meet the following pre-screening eligibility criteria*:

• Must not be currently infected with COVID-19, or previously exposed within the last 14 days

• Must not have received any other vaccine, such as the flu shot, in the last 14 days

A pre-screening eligibility handout is attached.

*Please note: If this is your first time receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please make sure you have never taken other COVID-19 vaccine products.

V-Safe Vaccine Symptom Monitoring 

Individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to register for the tool called v-safe, offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you. V-safe will remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one. Sign up for v-safe with your smartphone’s browser athttps://vsafe.cdc.gov.

7,200 Doses of Moderna Vaccines Arrive

A total of 7,200 Moderna Vaccines arrived on Guam on Thursday, January 14, which completes the Moderna January allocation. DPHSS continues to work with a number of enrolled clinic providers to ensure they meet U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for storage and handling and other requirements for the Moderna Vaccine. Upon meeting these requirements and as DPHSS provides Moderna Vaccines to enrolled providers, patients will have expanded options for COVID-19 vaccination at the various healthcare clinics.

Rapid Engagement Team Resumes Community Outreach in Santa Ana, Dededo 

DPHSS’ Rapid Engagement Team (RET), in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Dededo Mayor’s Office, FSM Consulate Office, State Surgeon Cell, Guam National Guard, Department of Public Works, Guam Fire Department, Guam Police Department, FSM Association of Guam, and other government and non-profit agencies, will resume COVID-19 community testing and outreach in the Santa Ana subdivision in Dededo on Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. No COVID-19 vaccinations will be administered at this outreach. 

DPHSS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Felix Cabrera, RET nurses, and support staff will visit residents and offer COVID-19 testing. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Results of the antigen testing will be available on-site. The outreach effort will include wraparound services and health assessments. Residents will also be provided educational materials on the COVID-19 vaccine. 

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.