JIC RELEASE NO. 789 - Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; Governor Lou Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-23; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 81; COVID-19 Test Results: 171 New Cases; Food Commodities Distribution Continues; Additional Updates

Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified of three (3) additional COVID-related fatalities reported on September 16, 2021:

• The 172nd COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on September 15, 2021. The patient was a 69-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. 

• The 173rd COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital. The patient was a 74-year-old male, unvaccinated, with unknown comorbidities.

• The 174th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital. The patient was a 90-year-old female with unknown comorbidities and unknown vaccination status. 

“These unsettling times continue to impact our lives, and more of us are grieving tonight,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Jeff, Josh and I join the island in prayer, for safe passage through the difficulty before us all, and for the strength and the resolve to remain ever vigilant in our efforts to protect everyone we can.”

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

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-23

Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2021-23, relative to the resumption of in-person learning, ordering such that:

• EFFECTIVE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021:

  • in-person learning of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school campuses is authorized to resume.

  • interscholastic athletics are authorized to resume training and competition, subject to applicable DPHSS guidance.

• NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021: Schools shall submit reopening plans to DPHSS, where such plans must include a testing plan, and must comply with applicable DPHSS guidance, including social distancing and limitations on congregations. 

• EFFECTIVE MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2021:

  • all organized sports training and competitions must require coaches and participants sixteen (16) years plus one (1) month of age or older to show proof that they are vaccinated.

In the event a coach or participant declines to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or provide proof of such vaccination, they will be required to test for COVID-19 once weekly, as provided in applicable DPHSS guidance. Spectators shall be allowed at interscholastic sporting events and competitions, subject to applicable DPHSS guidance.

Additionally, schools are encouraged to open at such time as their preparations are complete, and are further encouraged to employ flexibility with regard to available models of learning and accommodations to students and families.

81 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 41 Unvaccinated

The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC), and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

COVID-19 Test Results: 171 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, DPHSS reported one hundred seventy-one (171) new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,672 tests performed on September 15. Twenty-three (23) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 13,145 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 174 deaths, 2,328 cases in active isolation, and 10,643 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 35.4.

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 

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.

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. Isolation is a period of 10 days from the date of onset of symptoms for symptomatic patients, or 10 days from the date of specimen collection for asymptomatic patients. Isolation may be discontinued at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared, or at least 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medication and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. For asymptomatic patients, isolation may be discontinued 10 days from the date of positive specimen collection. 

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 5 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. 

Three GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed positive cases for COVID-19 involving three (3) employees. The employee cases were identified at Astumbo Elementary School, Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School, and George Washington High School. In collaboration with the DPHSS, GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index case in order to schedule testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas of the campuses are taking place.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of September 15, 107 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 20 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 276 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 114,291 (83.86%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 9,502 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 104,789.

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 EO 2021-23 RELATIVE TO AUTHORIZING THE RESUMPTION OF IN-PERSON LEARNING