JIC RELEASE NO. 746 - Fifty-two of 1,068 Test Positive for COVID-19; Two GFD Firefighters Test Positive for COVID-19; Two GDOE Employees, One GDOE Student Test Positive for COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule; Food Commodities Distribution

The community is reminded to remain vigilant:

• Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Watch your distance. 
• Get vaccinated. Tune into local media and the latest JIC releases for vaccine availability. 
• Stay home if you are sick, keep away from others who are sick.
• Keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet from others who are not in your household.
• Practice social distancing around elderly family members.
• Businesses and services may implement more stringent COVID-19 measures as they see fit, such as physical barriers, social distancing, and limited occupancy.

Results: 52 New Cases of COVID-19
Fifty-two (52) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 1,068 tests performed August 6 – 8. Twenty-four (24) cases were identified through contact tracing. One (1) case reported recent travel history and was identified in quarantine. To date, there have been a total of 8,725 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 143 deaths, 191 cases in active isolation – inclusive of seven (7) hospitalized cases with two (2) hospitalized cases receiving ICU-level care, and 8,391 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 7.7.

Guam COVID-19 vaccination update: As of August 8, a total of 104,447 or 76.63% of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) have received either both doses in the two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), or the single dose series (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) of the COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage includes 7,590 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 96,875.

Two GFD Firefighters Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Fire Department (GFD) implemented its policy to fall in line with the Governor’s Executive Order No. 2021-17, relative to requiring Government of Guam executive branch workers to Vaccinate against COVID-19. GFD conducted PCR testing on all non-vaccinated employees, including firefighters and emergency medical dispatchers. Samples were submitted to DPHSS for analysis, and yielded positive results for two firefighters who are assigned to Rescue Base 1, Hagatna Marina.

Out of an abundance of caution the remaining personnel have been placed on cohort or quarantine status, dependent on whether or not they have been vaccinated, pending testing. A thorough decontamination of common areas, including the official vehicle, were performed at Rescue Base 1, Hagåtña Marina, Personnel were reminded to continue strict adherence to the safety directives, to include the wearing of masks and social distancing both on and off duty, to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Two GDOE Employees, One GDOE Student Tests Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed three separate incidents where three individuals tested positive for COVID-19. The first individual has been identified as an employee at George Washington High School; the individual has not reported to the worksite.  The second individual has been identified as an employee assigned to Luis P. Untalan Middle School; the individual has not reported to the worksite. The third individual has been identified as a student who is enrolled at John F. Kennedy High School.

The GDOE in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has identified and notified the individuals who were in close contact with these individuals. These individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS to return to campus. School sites are regularly cleaned and disinfected to ensure campuses are ready for regular hours of operation.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations and times below. At the Northern Region Community Health Center in Dededo, COVID-19 vaccination is offered every Monday from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. and every Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. At the Southern Region Community Health Center in Inalåhan, COVID-19 vaccination is offered every Tuesday and Wednesday  from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Starting Monday, August 16, COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held at the Micronesia Mall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days-a-week, except on Sundays, through September 4, at the second floor of the mall, above center court. 

Bring a photo ID. Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. To view the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccination clinics, visit dphss.guam.gov/vaccinategu.

Special Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine:

• must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• must provide government-issued identification to validate minor’s age
• must provide minor’s birth certificate
• parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued ID. 
• guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for GovGuam Employees & Families
DPHSS continues its vaccination clinic for Government of Guam employees and their families on Tuesday, August 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Micronesia Mall, second floor above the Center Court. GovGuam employees are encouraged to set an appointment through tinyurl.com/CovidStopsWithMe. When making your appointment, you will be required to enter your name, email address, and Government of Guam department name. Please bring your employee ID. For those needing their second dose please bring your shot card.

Homebound Vaccination Requests
DPHSS and the University of Guam (UOG) Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (CEDDERS) have partnered to service all homebound requests. Individuals who would like to make a request for homebound COVID-19 vaccinations should call 311, option 2, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, to schedule an appointment. 

Free COVID-19 Testing at Tiyan Continues This Week
DPHSS continues COVID-19 community testing Tuesday, August 10 to Saturday, August 14 at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Testing is free and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The community is reminded to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they are identified as close contacts to confirmed positive cases, or are experiencing any of the known COVID-19 symptoms which include, but are not limited to: 

• Cough
• Shortness of breath 
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not exhaustive of all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been

reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. Only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Results available onsite. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent/legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form on behalf of the minor to be tested for COVID-19. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at DPHSS drive-thru testing sites and must be scheduled with NRCHC by calling 671-635-7525/6. 

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. Distribution is limited to three households per vehicle at the sites. Face masks must be worn. Bring a photo ID. 

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.