JIC RELEASE NO. 74 - Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases, Seven More Recover; US Census Bureau Update; DOL Update; Expeditionary Medical Support System;Avoid Economic Payment Scams

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 30 individuals for COVID-19 on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 with conclusive results. Zero tested positive through DPHSS and 30 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, with one additional case that was confirmed through Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS). 

Because test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day, the cumulative total from all labs will be reported on a nightly basis. Updated results will be provided this evening, once all tests from today are completed. 

Preliminary Profiles of Confirmed Cases
Profiles of the 135 COVID-19 cases include three clinically diagnosed cases, reports of 11 confirmed positive cases received from the U.S. Naval Hospital that were tested by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, and five confirmed positive cases through Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS).

To date, 135 cases have been confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided, which is limited to priority groups, with 73 recoveries and 5 deaths. People with mild symptoms have not been tested extensively. Now that commercial testing is more widely available, more extensive testing will provide a better assessment of how widespread, or not, COVID-19 infections are in the Guam community.

As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice.

US Census Bureau Update
Under the existing 2020 Census of Guam contract, the Government of Guam received concurrence from the US Census Bureau to continue processing paychecks for Census of Guam employees. Guam Census employees will receive compensation until May 5, 2020.  

DOL Update; HireGuam Phase II 
As part of Phase I of the reporting process, the Guam Department of Labor is requiring all employers and business owners who have displaced workers due to COVID-19 to register and email their business or contractor’s license to vosemployer@dol.guam.gov for verification purposes on the department’s virtual one-stop system, hireguam.com.

The department is now announcing its plans for Phase II. GDOL is actively working on a brand new module that is currently being installed. In approximately two weeks, employers and business owners can start to report employee information who have been furloughed, laid-off, or have reduced hours caused by COVID-19. Phase II is mandatory so that those displaced workers can avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (PUA) along with the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). GDOL will announce when Phase II is enacted once the module is fully installed.

GDOL has the ability to investigate employers to ensure that no fraudulent activity occurs and will work with the Department of Revenue and Taxation to cross-verify those employers and businesses that register. Part of the registration process is providing GDOL proof of business whether it’s a business license or a contractor’s license. Businesses should have their documents ready and prepare employee statuses and information.

GDOL is reminding the public that Executive Order No. 2020-07 is for employers and businesses only and not employees. The department has been getting an influx of employees registering as employers. If you are an employee and do not own a business, please do not register as an employer.

Expeditionary Medical Support System
U.S. Air Force Engineers assigned to the 554th RED HORSE Squadron are constructing an Expeditionary Medical Support System or EMEDS, which will consist of three 25-bed capacity units within the fence line of U.S. Naval Hospital Guam. This project is expected to be completed within the week. The extra beds and additional staff of 90 Air Force personnel will provide expanded capacity for U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, allowing an expansion from 42 beds to 85 beds and from a 6 bed ICU to 24 beds. This project will not only support efforts to get the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt healthy and back out to sea but will also give expanded ability to add to the Government of Guam’s medical capacity.

Expeditionary Medical Facility
Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CMBU) 3 are in the process of constructing an Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) on Department of Defense (DoD) property in South Finegayan. This is a larger construction project which will result in a 150-bed capacity field hospital operated by over 400 personnel. With material offloaded from Naval Base Guam and site preparation already in progress, this project is to be complete in approximately two weeks.  

The EMF will provide expanded medical capabilities in support of DoD’s COVID-19 response. DoD will be postured and well equipped to support the greater Guam community and the region, if a Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission is requested in Guam.

Avoid Scams Related to COVID-19 Economic Payments
The Joint Information Center is aware of a viral message circulating on social media and chat groups regarding a 1-800 number, which reportedly prompts the caller to enter their social security number and zip code. This message is not connected to any official announcement regarding stimulus checks. 

The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money. Remember, the IRS will not call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds.

The community is reminded to only share official, verified messages to avoid the spread of misinformation. 

For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.