JIC RELEASE NO. 955 - Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Test Results: 622 New Cases, 50 Hospitalized; DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data Surveillance Update Report; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported

Today, the Joint Information Center was notified of two (2) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 304th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on February 10, 2022. The patient was a 48-year-old male, unknown vaccination, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on February 10, 2022. 

• The 305th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on February 10, 2022. The patient was a 61-year-old male, vaccinated, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on February 4, 2022. 

“It is never easy to report more lives lost to this deadly virus, and to their family and those who loved them, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “As a community, we can save lives, and we do that by continuing the public health interventions, including wearing our masks, washing our hands, watching our distance, and getting vaccinated and boosted if it’s your time. Please continue these mitigation measures to prevent more days of grief and sorrow.”

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE.

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. 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. Individuals who are sick are advised to:

• Stay home, except to seek medical care. Call ahead before visiting the clinic/doctor.

• Monitor for 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.

Older Adults, People with Serious Chronic Medical Conditions are Most at Risk for Serious Complications and Death Due to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19

Serious chronic medical conditions include:

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Lung disease

• Obesity

• Immunocompromised conditions (e.g. cancer, lupus)

• Chronic renal disease

• Neurologic or neurodevelopmental condition

• Current or former smoking

• Chronic liver disease

50 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 22 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 256 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 12 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: 622 New Cases of COVID-19 

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 622 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,437 specimens analyzed on February 9, 2022. 76 of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 38,672 officially reported cases, 305 deaths, 6,505 cases in active isolation, and 31,862 not in active isolation.

Operation Homebound Begins Today

Based on recent dead-on-arrival demographics, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero called for an outreach initiative for underserved individuals who may need assistance with access to services, including COVID-19 testing and vaccination, WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, MIP, and Medicare. DPHSS, in partnership with the Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP), Guam Homeless Coalition, and supported by the Guam National Guard, began Operation Homebound today in Hagåtña and will be expanding to other villages soon. For more information on Operation Homebound, please call (671) 998-4678 or (671) 998-4625 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Tiyan COVID-19 Outreach Appointment-Based Testing

Community COVID-19 testing at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada is an appointment-based system. 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. 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. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Support Clinic 

Beginning February 12, the COVID-19 vaccination support clinics for families of children with disabilities will operate from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. These clinics are also open to the community. 

UOG Vaccination Clinic Saturday Hours to Change 

Beginning Saturday, February 12, 2022, and every Saturday thereafter, the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the UOG Field House will operate from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note the changes to the schedule.

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

DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Data Surveillance Update Report

Today, DPHSS Office of Epidemiology and Research and the COVID-19 Surveillance Unit issued a COVID-19 trends report for cases reported between January 1, 2022 and February 8, 2022. According to the report, there is a continued decline in the proportion of cases with symptoms throughout January 2022. Since the testing strategy changed on January 25, 2022, there are higher proportions of symptomatic cases in early February with 35% of cases reporting symptoms. To view the DPHSS COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Report, CLICK HERE.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update

As of February 9, 2022, a total of 133,783 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,204 residents 12 – 17 years old. 6,971 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 4,757 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 125 residents received their booster shots and a total of 52,999 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.