JIC RELEASE NO. 6 - Unverified Messages Circulating; DPHSS Medical Information Phone Lines Available - GHS OCD

The Joint Information Center is aware of unverified messages circulating on social media and chat groups. The community is reminded that this is a rapidly evolving situation. With any change in status, anticipate timely notification. Residents are advised to only share official notices and information to avoid the spread of misinformation.

Rumors circulating about local telecommunication companies shutting down due to a potential COVID-19 are false. GTA, IT&E, iConnect, and Docomo each confirmed this rumor is untrue for their respective companies.

DPHSS Hotline Numbers for Medical-Related Questions

If you have flu-like symptoms and cannot consult a doctor by phone, you can call these numbers and speak to a registered nurse. Because call volume may vary, please limit calls to medical guidance regarding COVID-19:

(671) 480-7859
(671) 480-6760/3
(671) 480-7853

These numbers are operational daily, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are specific to medical-related questions, only.

Call Your Doctor if Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, do not attempt to go directly to your healthcare provider unless it is an emergency. Instead, call your healthcare provider in advance for medical advice.

If you do not have a regular healthcare provider, you can call ahead to DPHSS Northern or Southern Public Health Centers to report symptoms and get guidance from the clinicians.

If sick, stay home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Do not entertain visitors in your household or visit others. If sick, separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. If sick, do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.

Guam Census
All nonessential government services including the 2020 Census of Guam is suspended for 14 days. Effective immediately, all 2020 Census of Guam field operations are suspended and the Tamuning Census office is closed to the public.

Stay Up to Date with Reputable Sources

It is important to note that the situation can change quickly. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:

● CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

● DPHSS website: http://dphss.guam.gov/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-n-cov/

● GHS/OCD website: https://ghs.guam.gov/coronavirus-covid-19

For media inquiries, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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. 6 - Unverified Messages Circulating; DPHSS Medical Information Phone Lines Available