JIC RELEASE NO. 649 - 16 of 884 Test Positive for COVID-19; DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-14 Relative to Graduation Ceremony Requirements;Johnson & Johnson/Janssen to Resume at UOG Clinic; COVID-19 Vaccination ScheduleFood Commodities Distribution Conti

Results: 16 New Cases of COVID-19
Sixteen (16) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 884 tests performed on Monday, April 26. Three (3) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. Five (5) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 7,939 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 136 deaths, 68 cases in active isolation, and 7,735 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 0.9.

The community is reminded to remain vigilant:

• Remain home if you are sick. Keep away from others who are sick and limit face-to-face contact with others. 
• Keep a safe distance of 6 ft. or more between yourself and others who are outside of your household.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• If visiting elderly family members, continue to practice social distancing to protect those you love.

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-14 Relative to Graduation Ceremony Requirements
Today, DPHSS issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-14, relative to requirements for graduation ceremonies for Schools (K-12) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). The requirements contained in the guidance memo are intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while providing schools and IHEs an option for a traditional graduation ceremony. DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-14 supersedes DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-12 in its entirety, and provides general requirements and restrictions for social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, with mandates for all graduation ceremonies other than the “Grad and Go” concept which include, but are not limited to the following:

• All Schools and IHEs who would like to have an indoor or outdoor graduation ceremony must develop and submit a detailed COVID-19 mitigation plan to DPHSS at least 14 days prior to the scheduled graduation ceremony. All plans should be sent via email to dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov. Schools which anticipate holding graduation ceremonies sooner than 14 days from today are to contact DPHSS Division of Environmental Health immediately. Failure to comply will place schools and IHEs in non­compliance with DPHSS guidance that may result in penalties and/or fines.
• the total number of persons shall be limited to no more than 50% occupancy load with seating provided the indoor area can maintain the required physical distance if held indoors
• the total number of persons shall be limited to no more than the outdoor area can maintain with the required physical distance if held outdoors
• Attendees must be limited to school faculty and staff, graduates, and no more than four (4) guests per graduate provided the graduation site can accommodate the decreased occupancy load and physical distancing.
• Attendees must pre-register with each school prior to the graduation ceremony in order to be allowed entrance to attend the event
• All attendees must wear face masks at all times
• Have a plan in place for staggered entrances and exits and other common places where people congregate in order to reduce the occurrence of bottlenecks.
• School graduates must enter and exit 3 feet apart from one another in a single line when directed to their seats.
• IHE graduates must enter and exit 6 feet apart from one another in a single line when directed to their seats.
• High-touch areas and toilet facilities should be properly staffed to service, clean, and disinfect prior to, during, and after the event.

To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-14 in its entirety, click HERE.

For further questions, please contact the DEH at 300-9579 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays, or email dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov  

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen to Resume at UOG Clinic; COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations and times below. Please bring a photo ID. Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card.

Starting Wednesday, April 28, the UOG Fieldhouse COVID-19 Vaccination will resume administering the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J/Janssen) vaccine. A total of 200 doses will be available daily to eligible residents 18 years of age and older. Although walk-ins are accepted, residents are encouraged to book an appointment online at the link provided below. 

Food Commodities Distribution Continues 
GDOE, State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Nutrition Service distribution will be available to village constituents only on a first come, first served basis. A limit of three households per vehicle will be serviced at the distributions. Face masks must be worn. Bring a photo ID. Village Mayors distribution schedule is as follows:

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 DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-14 Graduation Ceremony Requirements