JIC RELEASE NO. 819 - Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Updates: 134 New Cases, 61 Hospitalized; DPHSS Issues Physicians Advisory 2022-02 on MIS-C; Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Village Clinic Schedule; Food Commodities Distribution Co

Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified of two (2) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 218th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on October 12, 2021. The patient was a 52-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. He was a known COVID-19 positive patient.
• The 219th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam on October 13, 2021. The patient was a 64-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on October 13.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the losses of life again today to this deadly virus,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Jeff, Josh, and I offer our condolences to the families of our deceased, and offer them prayers for the ones they have lost.”

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

61 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 34 Unvaccinated

COVID-19 Test Results: 134 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 134 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,348 tests performed on October 12. Seventy-four (74) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 16,595 officially reported cases, 219 deaths, 2,947 cases in active isolation, and 13,429 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 23.5

DPHSS Issues Physicians Advisory 2022-02 on MIS-C 
DPHSS issued Physicians Advisory 2022-02, notifying all licensed physicians about the first reported physician-diagnosed case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). All healthcare providers on Guam are urged to be on alert for possible cases of MIS-C and to report them to DPHSS.

Patients under 21 years of age with MIS-C have presented with a persistent fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash, bloodshot eyes, dizziness or lightheadedness (signs of low blood pressure), fatigue, and a variety of signs and symptoms, including multiorgan involvement, (e.g., cardiac, gastrointestinal, renal, hematologic, dermatologic, neurologic) and elevated inflammatory markers. Not all children will have the same signs and symptoms, and some children may have symptoms not listed here. MIS-C may begin weeks after a child is infected with SARS-CoV-2. The individual may have been infected from an asymptomatic contact and, in some cases, the child and their caregivers may not even know they had been infected. To read the Physicians Advisory in its entirety, CLICK HERE.

DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data/Surveillance 2021 Update
Today, DPHSS Office of Epidemiology and Research and the COVID-19 Surveillance Unit issued a report on Guam’s COVID-19 surge trends and breakthrough case analysis on tests conducted September 12, 2021 – October 11, 2021. According to the report, unvaccinated persons continue to be the majority of infected cases in the population, while breakthrough cases through the surge have sustained a similar case rate. To view the report, CLICK HERE.

For more information, visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Village Clinic Schedule
COVID-19 vaccine booster village clinics are being offered by DPHSS in partnership with the Mayors’ Council of Guam for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial two-dose series at least 6 months ago and are 65 years and older. For appointments, register at tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme or call your village mayor:

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Shots Available 
Booster Shots are available at the University of Guam Calvo Field House for people who had a normal immune response to the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, but because of time, antibody levels are beginning to wane. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only FDA authorized vaccine to administer as a booster. The following groups of people are eligible for a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech if they completed the Pfizer-BioNTech series (first two doses) and it has been 6 months or more since the second dose:

• Anyone age 65+

• Anyone age 18+ with underlying medical conditions

• Anyone 18+ with an elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their occupation (e.g. healthcare workers, law enforcement, fire, K-12 teachers and support staff, university faculty, daycare employees, food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, USPS workers, corrections workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers) or living settings

If eligible, please make your Booster Shot appointment at tinyurl.com/vaxguam. Walk-ins are accepted but should be prepared for longer wait times. 

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.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of October 12, 78 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 35 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 138 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 121,674 (89.27%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 11,448 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 110,226 fully vaccinated adults. 4,966 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 112 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.

Click here to view DPHSS Physicians Advisory 2022-002 MIS-C Associated with COVID-19