JIC RELEASE NO. 786 - Nine COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; Watch for Emergency Warning Signs for COVID-19; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 73; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 174 New Cases; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule; Additional Updates

Nine COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified of nine (9) additional COVID-related fatalities reported last week and over the weekend:
 

• The 160th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on September 4, 2021. The patient was an 81-year-old male, unvaccinated with unknown underlying health conditions who had tested positive on September 4. 
• The 161st COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on September 9, 2021. The patient was a 95-year-old male, unvaccinated with known underlying health conditions and was a known positive case.
• The 162nd COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on September 10, 2021. The patient was a 77-year-old male, unvaccinated with known underlying health conditions who tested positive for COVID-19 on September 10.
• The 163rd COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the GRMC on September 10, 2021. The patient was a 68-year-old female, vaccinated, with underlying health conditions who was admitted on August 30, 2021 and was a known positive case.
• The 164th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on September 10, 2021. The patient was a 55-year-old male, unvaccinated with known underlying health conditions who tested positive on August 30.
• The 165th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on September 11, 2021. The patient was a 56-year-old male, unvaccinated with unknown underlying health conditions and tested positive on September 9.
• The 166th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced at GMH on September 11, 2021. The patient was a 29-year-old male, unvaccinated with unknown underlying health conditions who tested positive for COVID-19 on September 11.
• The 167th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at GRMC on September 11, 2021. The patient was an 80-year-old female, unvaccinated with underlying health conditions. 
• The 168th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GRMC on September 12, 2021. The patient was a 62-year-old male, vaccinated, with unknown underlying health conditions.   

“As we grieve more loss within our community, we are reminded of the challenges and tragedy that we continue to face,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “We may be overcome with hopelessness and despair during these times of uncertainty, but what is certain is the history of our people–and how time and time again we find our resiliency, and forge ahead to do everything we can protect ourselves and those we love.”

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 need 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.

Watch for Emergency Warning Signs for COVID-19
In accordance with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) guidance, individuals who are sick are advised to: 

• Stay home, except to seek medical care. Call ahead before visiting the clinic/doctor.
• Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headaches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea and/or diarrhea.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19. While waiting for test results, you should stay away from others, including staying apart from those living in your household.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19 and seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you are experiencing any of the following warning signs of COVID-19:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

73 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 44 Unvaccinated
GMH), GRMC, and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 174 New Cases of COVID-19 from Sept. 11 – 13
Today, DPHSS reported thirty (30) new cases of COVID-19 out of 261 tests performed on September 12. Eleven (11) cases were identified through contact tracing.

An additional (144) cases were also reported today as a result of complete analysis and case submissions from other clinics for preliminary COVID-19 test results reported September 11 – 13. Official case counts for the past weekend results are as follows:

• September 11: 151 of 2,419 test positive for COVID-19 (67 cases previously reported). Sixty-nine (69) cases were identified through contact tracing.   
• September 12: 145 of 1,017 test positive for COVID-19 (85 cases previously reported). Seventy-four (74) cases were identified through contact tracing.  Four (4) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine.

To date, there have been a total of 12,553 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 168 deaths, 1,822 cases in active isolation, and 10,563 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 37.2.

Free COVID-19 Testing Schedule:

For quicker service, visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing to download, print, and complete a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form before arriving at the testing site. Only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. 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. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at DPHSS drive-thru testing sites and must be scheduled with the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) by calling (671) 635-7525/6. 

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. 

Individuals waiting for COVID-19 test results must quarantine at home until cleared by DPHSS. Individuals whose test results are positive and who are at high risk for serious illness will be given information on outpatient monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.

UPDATED: COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 

Isolation Clearance Letters Available for Pick Up at DPHSS Hagåtña Office
Isolation clearance letters are available for pick up for those who were in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. These clearance letters may be provided to your employer or school. Clearance letters for those who tested positive for COVID-19 between August 9 to September 3 will be available at the DPHSS main office located at 155 Hesler Place in Hagåtña today through Thursday, September 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For directions to the DPHSS main office, visit https://goo.gl/maps/BXUTfi4Z2fqeD7UT8. 

Two Guam EPA Employees Tests Positive for COVID-19, Beach Monitoring Suspended
On September 4 and September 6, 2021, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) was notified that two (2) employees at the agency’s operations building tested positive for COVID-19. As a result of the positive cases, the weekly recreational beach monitoring will be suspended until further notice. Agency personnel identified as close contacts were instructed to monitor for symptoms and were placed in quarantine until receiving negative results. Both cases did not have any contact with any customers and will remain in active isolation until cleared by DPHSS. Personnel identified as close contacts from the Environmental Monitoring and Analytical Services and Water Division all tested negative. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of September 11, 289 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 64 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 796 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 112,992 (82.90%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 9,314 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 103,678.  

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. 

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