JIC RELEASE NO. 621 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-10 Relative to Operations Under PCOR3;Results: Three of 399 Test Positive for COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule; Food Commodities Distribution Continues;COVID-19 Community Testing on April 5 in T

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-10 Relative to Operations Under PCOR3 
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-10, relative to restrictions and allowances for business and government operations in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-07 during the current Pandemic Conditions of Readiness 3 (PCOR 3), which was declared by Executive Order No. 2021-04. DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-10 permits additional authorized businesses and services to operate at up to 75% occupancy load, including:

• Advertising and marketing firms operating by appointment only;

• Airlines (ground crew), taxis, and other private transportation providers that provide transportation services;

• Animal grooming and training establishments that operate by appointment only;

• Animal shelters;

• Armored cash carriers;

• Auto wash, detailing, and tinting businesses operating by appointment only;

• Automobile and moped rental businesses;

• Automobile and other motorized vehicle sales operating by appointment only;

• Automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle supply and repair shops;

• Banks, credit unions, and related financial institutions (i.e., establishments providing payroll, accounting, insurance, check-cashing, ATM, and money transfer operations);

• Building cleaning and maintenance operations (i.e., janitorial services, landscaping services, and pool maintenance);

• Businesses and registered non-profit organizations that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;

• Business operations of firearms or ammunition products and accessories;

• Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;

• Businesses that issue passports; 

• Businesses that primarily supply other businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;

• Businesses that primarily supply products needed for people to work from home;

• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods, or services directly to residences;

• Construction companies;

• Cosmetology Establishments operating by appointment only;

• Defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the U.S. government;

• Distributors, wholesalers, and providers to businesses; 

• Dive shops, operating by appointment only;

• Financial planning firm operating by appointment only;

• Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and subsistence and commercial fishing;

• Gas stations;

• Hardware stores;

• Healthcare Operations;

• In-Office Consulting firms operating by appointment only;

• Indoor firing ranges;

• Infrastructure for the following businesses: airport operations; water, wastewater, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highway operations; solid waste collection and removal; Internet and telecommunications systems; and hotels and places of accommodation.

• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;

• Newspapers, television, radio, and other media companies;

• Photography establishments operating by appointment only;

• Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC technicians, landscapers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and critical operation of residences, critical activities, and critical businesses;

• Professional businesses, such as legal or accounting firms, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;

• Real estate business operating by appointment only;

• Retail Stores; 

• Security companies that maintain building access and control and physical security measures;

• Testing sites for certification, credentialing, licensing, and aptitude; and

• Trash and recycling businesses that collect, process, and disposal and/or recycle.

Additionally, DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-10 increases the limit of paddling sports (kayaking, stand-up paddling) to no more than six (6) persons, under authorized outdoor, non-contact recreational activities.

Businesses and services not authorized for on-site operations include:

• Reservations to celebrate public and private functions (i.e., anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations) at Eating and Drinking Establishments and other public venues where the total number of guests exceed fifty (50) individuals.

• Contact sporting events of all types and organized games;

• Senior Citizen Centers; and

• other businesses and services not identified by the DPHSS in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-10.

To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-10 in its entirety, click HERE. Written mitigation plans and requests for authorization for operations may be submitted to PCOR3plans@dphss.guam.gov. For more information, contact the DPHSS Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email, dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

Results: Three New Cases of COVID-19

Three (3) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 399 tests performed on Wednesday, March 31. To date, there have been a total of 7,810 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 134 deaths, 27 cases in active isolation, and 7,649 not in active isolation. Three (3) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine.

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 from Wednesday, March 31:

Preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations administered from December 17 to March 31:

*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.

****Johnson &Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccinations began on March 15 and were developed as a one-dose series.

^As of March 31, 2021. Total doses administered and allotted doses differ as vaccinators were able to draw additional doses per vial. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s February 25, 2021 revision of their Fact Sheet relative to the Pfizer-BioNTech Emergency Use Authorization now states, “After dilution, one vial contains six doses of 0.3 mL. Vial labels and cartons may state that after dilution, a vial contains five doses of 0.3 mL. The information in this Fact Sheet regarding the number of doses per vial after dilution supersedes the number of doses stated on vial labels and cartons.” | ^^Reflects the previous allocation total of 86,560 and last received an allocation of 1,300 Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccines on March 8, 2021.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics on April 2 & April 6–17 at UOG Fieldhouse
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue April 2, from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April 6 to Saturday, April 17, from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the UOG Fieldhouse. These clinics will administer first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and second doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Eligibility is open to residents 16 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent or legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form on behalf of the minor to receive the vaccine. 

Walk-ins will be accepted at a limited rate of 15 per hour. Walk-ins wishing to avoid longer wait times are discouraged from lining up before the 10 a.m. opening and are asked to expect reasonable delays. 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, FSM, Palau, or RMI Passport). Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. 

UPDATE: Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics 
Village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations listed below. Clinic hours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m or while supplies last. Patients due for their second dose will be prioritized. Bring a photo ID and COVID-19 immunization card. Although walk-ins are accepted, residents are encouraged to register with their respective mayor’s office. 

Homebound Vaccinations Continue April 2
Homebound vaccinations continue for those pre-registered with their village mayor. 

Food Commodities Distribution Continues
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE), State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Nutrition Service, continues food commodities distribution at the village level. Recipients will receive TEFAP food commodities per household that may include canned chicken, chicken in a pouch, spaghetti sauce, mixed fruits, peaches, plums, yellow split peas, pistachios, hazelnuts, circle oat cereal, crispy hexagon cereal, and bottled cranapple juice. Distribution will be available to village constituents only. Commodities are also provided in bulk to the community organizations to distribute directly to their clients/families/households. Participants must wear a mask, maintain distance, and follow all traffic directions and signage.

Food commodities for organizations are as follows:

COVID-19 Community Testing on April 5 in Tiyan
COVID-19 community testing will be held on Monday, April 5, at the Old Carnival Grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. DPHSS will offer up to 150 COVID-19 tests on a first-come, first-served basis. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent or legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form on behalf of the minor to be tested for COVID-19. For the safety of the community and nurses, only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. 

COVID-19 testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at this community testing site. Individuals seeking COVID-19 testing to travel off-island may contact the DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center at 635-7525/6 to schedule an appointment.

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. 

Click here to view VACCINATIONS APRIL 6-17

Click here to view DPHSS GUIDANCE MEMO 2021-10 AUTH BUSINESS AND SVCS DURING PCOR 3 RELATIVE TO E.O. 2021-07 (03-31-21)