JIC RELEASE NO. 572 - Results: Four of 452 Test Positive for COVID-19;VAPPC Meeting Held Today;COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for Village-Based and UOG;Enrolled Provider List for COVID-19 Vaccinations

Results: Four New Cases of COVID-19
Four (4) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 452 tests performed by the Department of Public Health and Social Services on Sunday, February 14, and tests from additional labs from Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14. Five (5) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. Two (2) cases were identified through contact tracing. *Note: This breakdown includes the six cases previously reported by the Joint Information Center since Friday, February 12, 2021. 

To date, there have been a total of 7,699 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 130 deaths, 85 cases in active isolation, and 7,484 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 JIC on Monday, February 14, and reflects results from additional labs from Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14:

The following provides preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the JIC on Monday, February 15, for vaccinations administered from December 17 to February 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.

***Administering second doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 29, 2021.

^As of February 14, 2021 | ^^Reflects the previous allocation total of 43,500 and last received allocation of 7,800 on February 7, 2021

VAPPC Meeting Held Today
During their weekly virtual meeting on Monday, the Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Policy Committee (VAPPC) received updates on Guam’s COVID-19 vaccine allocation. February’s remaining vaccine supply will be prioritized for those due for their second dose. Guam will be authorized to place its next vaccine order next week, with the shipment expected to arrive the first week of March. 

DPHSS expects a March allocation of 21,360 vaccines. As with previous orders, Guam’s allocation is subject to vaccine availability. In addition to the March allocation, Guam will receive an additional 2,200 doses as part of its February allocation, bringing this month’s allocation total to 19,200 doses.

The VAPPC was also updated on the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program (FRPP), which includes Rexall Drugs and Kmart Pharmacy, both of whom received 100 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine separate from Guam’s February allocation. Discussions are underway with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand FRPP eligibility to other local pharmacies who wish to participate in the program.

The VAPPC will maintain its current policy on vaccine eligibility and will discuss expanding eligibility in future meetings. The next VAPCC is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 22. 

Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled for February 16 & 19
DPHSS, in partnership with the Mayors’ Council of Guam (MCOG) and the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), continues village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Tuesday, February 16 at the Mangilao Senior Citizen Center and Friday, February 19, at the Agat Gym.

Village-based clinic hours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Although walk-ins are accepted, eligible village residents are encouraged to register with their respective mayor’s office. Up to 100 doses will be administered at each location.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for February 16 – 20 at UOG Fieldhouse
COVID-19 vaccination clinics resume on Tuesday, February 16 through Saturday, February 20. These clinics will prioritize those due for their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Those due for their second dose of the vaccine may get their second dose up to four (4) days early. Due to limited supply, Pfizer-BioNTech first doses will be limited to 60 per hour for eligible individuals. No first doses of the Moderna vaccine will be administered. 

Walk-ins wishing to avoid long wait times are discouraged from arriving at the 1 p.m. hour. Average wait times during this hour are generally 2-3 times longer than those later in the afternoon or early evening. 

Upon arrival, individuals 70 years and older will be sent to the front of the line. Please bring a digital or hard copy appointment confirmation, a photo ID, and proof of Guam residency (Guam Driver's License, Guam ID, Green Card, US or FSM Passport, H1B or H2B visas for skilled workers). Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. This ensures quicker processing and proper documentation.

Enrolled Provider List for COVID-19 Vaccinations
In addition to mass vaccination clinics held at the UOG Fieldhouse, eligible Guam residents may contact any of the participating enrolled providers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:

Public and private clinics and pharmacies may become enrolled providers after first agreeing to participate in the DPHSS vaccination program. Enrolled providers must meet federal storage and handling requirements for COVID-19 vaccines as established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designate staff to complete CDC online training and certification courses, and enroll to report vaccine administration through DPHSS Immunization Registry to meet CDC reporting requirements. Enrolled providers will continue to receive COVID-19 vaccination allocations from DPHSS monthly if the island’s vaccination allocation supply permits and if they continue to uphold these requirements.

Pre-screening Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccinations
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

*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. Please visit dphss.guam.gov to view the pre-screening eligibility.

V-Safe Vaccine Symptom Monitoring 
After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, register for 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. You can quickly report side effects, and depending on your answers, you may receive a call from CDC. V-safe will remind you to get your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up at vsafe.cdc.gov.

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline 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. 

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