JIC RELEASE NO. 859 - Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-29; COVID-19 Test Results: 21 New Cases, 20 Hospitalized; DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data Update Report; DPHSS Remains in Compliance with CDC Booster Eligibility Criteria; Avoid Sharin

Governor Signs Executive Order No. 2021-29
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2021-29, relative to amending vaccination requirements for certain establishments and activities, limitations on social gathering, and restrictions for incoming travelers and quarantine facilities. Executive Order No. 2021-29 orders such that:

EFFECTIVE 8 AM, NOVEMBER 20:

• Social gathering limitations are increased to 25 individuals indoors or 75 individuals outdoors, regardless of vaccination status, subject to Public Health guidance. 
• Outdoor dining at restaurants and bars will be permitted regardless of a patron’s vaccination status, subject to Public Health guidance. Indoor dining at restaurants and bars will continue to be restricted to patrons who provide proof of vaccination. All covered establishments must continue to comply with mask-wearing and social distancing requirements, as well as vaccination and testing requirements for employees and staff, as provided in Public Health guidance. 

EFFECTIVE 12:01 AM, NOVEMBER 20:

• Individuals traveling from a foreign country must comply with the new federal requirements to board a flight into the United States, including Guam, and are further subject to quarantine at a government facility with the following exceptions. Individuals may be exempt from quarantine upon presenting proof of:

  • Full vaccination with FDA authorized or approved, or WHO-EUL approved COVID-19 vaccines; or 
  • A valid negative PCR test result collected no more than three (3) days prior to DEPARTURE; or
  • A valid negative antigen test result collected no more than one (1) day prior to DEPARTURE, as provided in Public Health guidance. 

To view Executive Order No. 2021-29 in its entirety, CLICK HERE.

20 Hospitalized for COVID-19

SPECIAL NOTE: Based on today's data, if we were to compare two (2) hypothetical populations of 100,000 people each, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there would be 10 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 48 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 5 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated. *Estimated population is based on DPHSS Immunization Program analysis of 2020 Census data. Updates are expected pending further Census 2020 data breakdown.
 

COVID-19 Test Results: 21 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported twenty-one (21) new cases of COVID-19 out of 552 tests performed on November 18. Six (6) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 19,061 officially reported cases, 262 deaths, 1,859 cases in active isolation, and 16,940 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 2.5.

On Thursday, November 18, 2021, the JIC reported one COVID-19-related fatality from the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH). The JIC was later informed the patient was from the Guam Regional Medical City. The correction follows: The 262nd COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on November 18, 2021. The patient was a 58-year-old male, unvaccinated with underlying health conditions. He tested positive on November 18, 2021.

DPHSS Remains in Compliance with CDC Booster Eligibility Criteria
DPHSS remains in compliance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations and guidelines to meet eligibility criteria to administer COVID-19 booster shots. 

During a meeting this week with the CDC, as part of its update, DPHSS informed the CDC that booster doses are only given to those who meet the current eligibility criteria. The CDC reminded all jurisdictions to follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations for vaccinations.

Eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 Booster Shots
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (first two doses), the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• Anyone age 65 years and older
• Anyone age 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
• Anyone 18 years and older 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 institutional settings.

For individuals who received the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. 

Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:

• Parent/legal guardian must provide minor’s birth certificate 
• Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued photo identification (ID)
• Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• Guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Continues
DPHSS, in partnership with the Mayors’ Council of Guam and the Guam National Guard, continues to offer outpatient monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center in Mangilao. Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 may receive mAb therapy if they meet the eligibility criteria through a referral from their private physician, a COVID-19 community test site, or a hospital. A Pre-Screening Assessment has been developed to guide individuals who may be eligible for mAb treatment. To schedule an appointment, call 671-998-4627 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 671-734-9203 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of November 18, a total of 124,802 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. 1,289 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 14,322 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, 7,492 doses of the Moderna and 197 doses of the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine have been administered as boosters to eligible residents.

Avoid Sharing Unofficial Information
The Joint Information Center is aware of unofficial messages circulating on chat groups and social media about a false COVID-19 relief fund. The community is reminded to only share verified, official information with others to avoid the spread of misinformation.

Click here to view 21.1119 Executive Order No. 2021-29 - Relative to Amending Vaccination Requirements for Certain Establishments and Activities, Limitations on Social Gatherings, and Restrictions for Incoming Travelers and Quarant