JIC RELEASE NO. 893 - COVID-19 Test Results: Nine New Cases, Four Hospitalized; Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-31 DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data Update Report; Pandemic Emergency Assistance Funds for TANF 2nd and Final Issuance; Additio

Four 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 2 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 4 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, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported nine (9) new cases of COVID-19 from 522 tests run on December 16. Two (2) cases were identified through contact tracing. One (1) case reported recent travel history and was identified in quarantine. To date, there have been a total of 19,366 officially reported cases, 270 deaths, 216 cases in active isolation, and 18,880 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 0.6.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of December 16, a total of 127,892 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 12,052 residents 12 – 17 years old. 4,245 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 1,730 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 154 residents received their booster shots and a total of 35,213 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-31
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2021-31, relative to social gathering restrictions during the public health emergency. Effective at 8 a.m. on December 18, 2021, social gatherings or congregations held outdoors shall be increased to no more than 100 persons – regardless of vaccination status, and subject to applicable DPHSS guidance. Social gatherings and congregations held indoors remain at no more than 25 persons – regardless of vaccination status, and subject to applicable DPHSS guidance. Indoor dining at eating and drinking establishments shall continue to be limited to vaccinated individuals as established in Executive Order No. 2021-29, and applicable DPHSS guidance.

Mask wearing in public shall continue to be mandated for all individuals aged two (2) years and older, in accordance with applicable DPHSS Guidance. To read Executive Order No. 2021-31in its entirety, CLICK HERE.

DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data Update Report
Today, DPHSS Office of Epidemiology and Research and the COVID-19 Surveillance Unit issued an update on recent COVID-19 trends between September 15, 2021 through December 14, 2021. The update report provides comparative analysis on Guam’s COVID-19 case data based on seven-day rolling averages, daily case counts, cases with symptoms and case vaccination status. To view the DPHSS COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Report, CLICK HERE.

PEAF for TANF 2nd and Final Issuance
DPHSS has announced that the second and final release of Pandemic Emergency Assistance Funds (PEAF) will be distributed to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) whose cash assistance cases were processed no later than 11/30/2021 for November 2021 benefits.

This supplemental benefit is federally funded and offered through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The purpose is to provide certain non-recurrent, short term benefits to help TANF families with children deal with a specific crisis situation or episode of need or emergency assistance such as emergency housing and short-term homelessness assistance, emergency food aid, utility payments, burial assistance, clothing allowances and back to school payments.

TANF Families will receive $1,172.01 on December 17, 2021. These benefits will be electronically loaded into the TANF recipients’ EBT cards. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the numbers below.

• BES North (Dededo) at 635-7488/635-7484/635-7439/635-7396/635-7429
• BES Central (RAN-Care) at 300-8853/300-8854/300-8850/300-8865

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

Click here to view 21.1217 SSD to SPEAKER TERLJAE re Executive Order No. 2021-31 - Relative to Lifting Social Gathering Restrictions During the Public Health Emergency