JIC RELEASE NO. 79 - One Tests Positive for COVID-19 on Guam

Breaking News Found at Governor Leon Guerrero’s Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/govlouguam/

COVID-19 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. The following breakdown provides cumulative COVID-19 test results for Friday, April 17, 2020:

* Beginning March 31, 2020

** Beginning April 15, 2020

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 22 individuals for COVID-19 on Friday, April 17, 2020 with conclusive results. One tested positive through DPHSS and 21 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. 

Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) tested 10 individuals for COVID-19 with conclusive results. Zero tested positive through GMHA and 10 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. 

The DPHSS overall count also includes probable cases of COVID-19 and confirmed positive cases tested by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego and Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS). 

To date, 136 cases have been confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided, with 5 deaths and 97 recoveries. Recovery means a patient is no longer considered infectious. According to CDC research and published guidelines, a patient is classified as recovered after at least 72 hours have passed without fever or additional respiratory issues and at least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared. All 34 remaining cases are in isolation. 

DPHSS Launches COVID-19 Dashboard
Today, DPHSS launched a COVID-19 Dashboard. The information management tool displays real-time updates on case counts, confirmed cases, and probable cases (formerly referred to as clinically diagnosed) in Guam. The DPHSS Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Program also shares data by village and cumulative cases. Village counts include anyone in that municipality who has tested positive, whether their infection is active or resolved. Village data is informative but should not be used to determine whether residents of a particular village are at risk of COVID-19. Dashboard tabs show the demographic breakdown of cases, including age and gender. Datasets protect the private health information of COVID-19 positive individuals.

To access the COVID-19 Dashboard and for the latest information about the Guam response to COVID-19, visit the DPHSS website at www.dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/. The Dashboard is currently only viewable on desktop. 

DPHSS Update on Information on SNAP Emergency Allotments 
Emergency Allotments (supplements) for the month of March 2020 were loaded to the SNAP recipients’ EBT cards last night, April 16, 2020. 

SNAP Emergency Allotments
The SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) was authorized by Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to respond to the effects of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19. The law authorized the issuance of emergency supplemental benefits to households receiving SNAP up to the maximum allowable SNAP monthly benefit for a household’s size. Households that already received the maximum benefit will not receive an additional emergency allotment. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service approved Guam to issue emergency allotments for March and April 2020.

The FY2020 SNAP Table below provides the Household Size and the Maximum SNAP Allotments.

Following are some examples on how the EAs are calculated:

            $285 – Maximum allotment for household size of 1

            Less: $285 – Benefits the household is eligible in March 2020

            $0       Household will not receive Emergency Allotment

2. A household is composed of two (2) eligible members, with income and deductions, and received $300 total benefits in March 2020. 

                       $524 - Maximum allotment for household size of 2

             Less: $300 - Benefits the household is eligible in March 2020

                       $224   Amount of Emergency Allotment to be received

3. A household is composed of two (2) eligible members, with income and deductions, and received $300 total benefits in March 2020. However, the household has a $50 claim deducted from the monthly benefit due to overpayments.

                       $300 - Benefits the household is eligible for March 2020

             Less: $ 50 - Claim amount due to overpayment

                       $250 - Amount Received by the household for March 2020 

           The Emergency Allotment will be computed as:

                       $524 - Maximum allotment for household size of 2

             Less: $300 - Benefits the household is eligible in March 2020

                       $224 - Amount of Emergency Allotment to be received

4. A household applied on March 17, 2020 and is composed of three (3) eligible members, with income and deductions. They received $200 total benefits in March 2020 because benefits were calculated based on the date of application.

                       $750 - Maximum allotment for household size of 3

             Less: $200 - Benefits the household is eligible in March 2020

                       $550 - Amount of Emergency Allotment to be received   

For April 2020, this same household will receive a full month benefit.  Therefore, if the calculated benefit is $500 for the entire month, the Emergency Allotment for April 2020 would be:

                       $750 - Maximum allotment for household size of 3

             Less: $500 - Benefits the household is eligible in April 2020

                      $250 - Amount of Emergency Allotment to be received

Should you have any questions or need additional information, send an email to publicassistance@dphss.guam.gov or call the numbers below, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to  5 p.m.:

• BES North (Dededo) at 635-7488/635-7484/635-7439/635-7396/635-7429
• BES Southern (Inarajan) at 828-7542/828-7534/828-7524
• BES Central (Castle Mall) at 735-7340/735-7519/735-7256/735-7344/735-7375

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