JIC RELEASE NO. 977 - Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Test Results: 273 New Cases, 32 Hospitalized; 10 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified; GovGuam to Close Isolation Facility and Open an Alternative Lodging Facility Food Commodit

Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported 

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Chief Medical Officer and Territorial Epidemiologist, in coordination with the Acting Chief Medical Examiner, have been conducting a review of all possible COVID-19-related deaths. This coordinated review process has resulted in the classification of one death reported from 2021 as COVID-19-related and has brought Guam’s current COVID-19-related death count to 330. The two (2) COVID-19-related fatalities follow:

• The 329th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at U.S. Naval Hospital on February 10, 2022. The patient was a 39-year-old male, unvaccinated, with unknown underlying health conditions who tested positive on February 10.

• The 330th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital on October 31, 2021. The patient was a 46-year-old male, fully vaccinated without a booster shot, with unknown underlying health conditions who tested positive on October 29, 2021.

“With each passing from COVID-19 we are reminded that we are not yet out of the woods. For those who have experienced grief and sadness from losing a loved one, Jeff, Josh, and I extend our deepest sympathies,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Please continue the public health interventions that have helped us progress through this pandemic. Wear your mask, wash your hands, watch your distance, and get boosted and vaccinated. If you’re feeling sick or are concerned you may have been exposed, testing is open to all and life saving treatments are available to get better faster.” 

32 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 19 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 106 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.

COVID-19 Test Results: 273 New Cases of COVID-19 

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 273 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,667 specimens analyzed on February 28, 2022. 36 of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 44,846 officially reported cases, 330 deaths, 3,383 cases in active isolation, and 41,133 not in active isolation.

10 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified

Today, March 1, 2022, DPHSS received 10 new results from virus samples collected on Guam from January 31, 2022 to February 8, 2022, which have undergone genome sequencing by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratory Division. 

DPHSS received the fifth set of results from the Hawaii DOH State Lab Division. Of the 10 samples, 10 were identified as the Omicron Variant of Concern (VOC). The breakdown is as follows:

10 Omicron (VOC)

• Nine (9) BA.2

• One (1) BA.1.1

To date, 612 SARS-CoV-2 virus samples have been submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Hawaii DOH State Lab Division for genome sequencing and identified a total of four hundred (417) COVID-19 cases infected with variants. DPHSS previously reported variants from results from the CDC and the Hawaii DOH State Lab and identified the following:

• eighty-nine (89) cases identified with the B.1.1.7 Alpha variant 

• fourteen (14) cases identified with the B.1.429 Epsilon variant 

• four (4) cases identified with the B.1.351 Beta variant

• two hundred two (212) cases identified with the Delta variant and its sublineages 

• one (1) case identified with the P.1 Gamma variant

• seventy-nine (79) cases identified with BA.1 Omicron variant

• eight (8) cases identified with BA.2 Omicron variant

UOG Vaccination Clinic to Close March 2, Moves to GCC Starting March 4

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic held at the University of Guam (UOG) Field House will close on March 2 at 2 p.m. The COVID-19 vaccination clinic will then transition to the Guam Community College (GCC) Multipurpose Auditorium in Mangilao on March 4. While walk-ins are accepted, residents are urged to make appointments at tinyurl.com/vaxguam. Dates and times are listed below:

Food Commodities Distribution Continues

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.

Mangilao mAb Treatment Center Reopens

The monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) Treatment Center located at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center in Mangilao is open for COVID-19 therapeutic services from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Saturday. Patients must receive a referral from a physician in order to qualify for treatment at the Mangilao mAb Treatment Center. To schedule an appointment, call (671) 988-4627. Individuals are encouraged to schedule within 10 days of when symptoms started for best results. 

GovGuam to Close Isolation Facility and Open an Alternative Lodging Facility
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, the Government of Guam will close its Isolation Facility located at Bayview Hotel in Tumon, Guam. GovGuam will continue to provide rooms for self-isolation on a case-by-case basis through its alternative lodging facility (ALTFAC) at the Garden Court in Tumon. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 may avail of the ALTFAC if they meet strict screening criteria set forth by DPHSS. Individuals seeking admission to the ALTFAC may call 311 and select option 1 for screening.
 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update

As of February 28, 2022, a total of 135,018 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,524 residents 12 – 17 years old. 7,487 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 5,510 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 104 residents have received their booster shots and a total of 55,235 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.