JIC RELEASE NO. 892 - 270th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; COVID-19 Test Results: Nine New Cases, Five Hospitalized; Additional COVID-19 Updates; Food Commodities Distribution Continues

270th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 270th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital on November 3, 2021. The patient was a 76-year-old female, unvaccinated. She tested positive on September 25, 2021. 

“Jeff, Josh, and I hold her family and friends in our hearts as we pray for their solace,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “While we prepare for the Christmas holiday, we must continue to keep those we’ve lost in our thoughts. Be there for one another, to console each other, safely.”

DPHSS reminds the community to:

• Stay home if you are ill, except to seek medical care. Call ahead before visiting the clinic/doctor.
• Monitor for flu-like 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.

Five 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 3 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 7 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 2 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: Nine New Cases of COVID-19
Today, DPHSS reported nine (9) new cases of COVID-19 from 715 tests run on December 15. Three (3) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 19,357 officially reported cases, 270 deaths, 209 cases in active isolation, and 18,878 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 0.4.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of December 15, a total of 127,874 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 12,052 residents 12 – 17 years old. 4,230 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 1,721 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 627 residents received their booster shots and a total of 35,059 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

COVID-19 Booster Shot Eligibility 
Adolescents 16 and 17 years of age who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (first two doses) are eligible for a single booster shot at least 6 months or more after their initial series. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 16 and 17.

UPDATE: Vaccination Clinic to Shift from UOG to GCC Temporarily 
The COVID-19 vaccination clinic, operated by the Guam National Guard, will be held at the Guam Community College Multi-purpose Auditorium on December 17 and 18 and will resume at the UOG Field House from December 21 to 23 and December 27 to 30. Walk-ins are accepted, but residents are encouraged to make appointments at tinyurl.com/vaxguam. Due to graduation events, the UOG clinic will not be available from December 16 to 20. 

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

Fill out a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form ahead of time, available at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. Individuals waiting for COVID-19 test results must quarantine at home until cleared by DPHSS. Test results are available via email by sending a request to covidresults@dphss.guam.gov

Food Commodities Distribution Continues
The Guam Department of Education (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.