JIC RELEASE NO. 935 - Four COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 662 New Cases, 28 Hospitalized; DPHSS to Prioritize Testing Symptomatic Patients, High-Risk Close Contacts; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Four COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
Today, the Joint Information Center was notified of four (4) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 277th COVID-19 related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on January 22, 2022. The patient was a 98-year old male, partially vaccinated, with underlying health conditions. He tested positive on January 19, 2022. 
• The 278th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on January 22, 2022. The patient was a 96-year-old female, vaccinated with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on January 21, 2022.
• The 279th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GRMC on January 23, 2022. The patient was an 84-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. He tested positive on January 23, 2022. 
• The 280th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at GRMC on January 24, 2022. The patient was an 86-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying conditions. She tested positive on January 5, 2022. 

“COVID-19 has impacted each of our lives, but none more than those who mourn family members from this deadly virus,” said Acting Governor Josh Tenorio. “To their loved ones in this time of grief and sadness, we send you our deepest sympathies and condolences. At this pivotal point in our pandemic response, we must recommit to safeguarding ourselves and the ones we love by getting vaccinated and boosted and continuing to practice the 3 Ws.” 

GBHWC Crisis Hotline

The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline available 24/7

at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, or need to talk to

someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with

any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2022-02
On Sunday, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signedExecutive Order 2022-02, relative to extending the public health emergency. Effective January 31, 2022, the public health emergency declaration is now scheduled to expire on March 2, 2022.

28 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 15 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 87 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 6 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.

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 662 New Cases Reported January 22 – 24

From January 22-24, 2022, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 662 new cases of COVID-19. 151 of these cases were reported through the Department of Defense. The 662 new cases does not include cases previously reported in JIC Release No. 933 and 934. The breakdown of the cumulative results is below:

• January 24: 165 of  561 test positive for COVID-19
• January 23: 538 of 2,301 test positive for COVID-19  (356 cases previously reported on January 23, 2022). 
• January 22: 700 of 2,261 test positive for COVID-19 (385 cases previously reported on January 22, 2022). 

To date, there have been a total of 27,869 officially reported cases, 280 deaths, 8,064 cases in active isolation, and 19,525 not in active isolation.

DPHSS to Prioritize Testing Symptomatic Patients, High-Risk Close Contacts

Beginning Wednesday, January 26, 2022, DPHSS and Community Testing Partners will prioritize COVID-19 testing across all DPHSS testing platforms to only symptomatic patients and high-risk close contacts. Due to the high volume of testing in the last several weeks, testing kits and supplies are limited. The criteria for high-risk close contacts are:

• Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated
• Age 65 or older
• Multiple comorbidities or multiple underlying health conditions
• Moderately to severely immunocompromised condition

Mangilao mAb Clinic Temporarily Closed
The monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy clinic at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center in Mangilao is temporarily closed until further notice. This is due to a shortage of patient courses of Regen-COV. A shipment of Regen-COV is expected to arrive on Guam within the next few days.
The Mangilao mAb clinic will reopen when supplies become available. An announcement will be made to the public. 

GMHA mAb Infusion Services Temporarily Suspended
The Guam Memorial Hospital has suspended its monoclonal antibody (mAB) infusion services until further notice, due to a shortage in supply of Regen-COV, as experienced island-wide. GMH’s infusion services were on a referral-basis only and as such, the hospital is alerting the medical community, who would otherwise be referring patients. GMH will begin infusion services as soon as reasonably feasible with supply. 

Tiyan COVID-19 Outreach Appointment-Based Testing
Community COVID-19 testing at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada has transitioned to an appointment-based system with extended hours. Unscheduled drive-ups will be accepted on a limited basis. For the safety of the community and swabbers, only four (4) adults per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Symptomatic patients will be prioritized at unscheduled drive-ups. To schedule an appointment, visit tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme. 

Fill out a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form ahead of time, available at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. 

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

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of January 22, 2022, a total of 132,430 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,007 residents 12 – 17 years old. 6,335 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 3,969 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. A total of 49,306 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.