JIC RELEASE NO. 120 - One Tests Positive for COVID-19 from GRMC;Guam in PCOR2 - What’s Open, What’s Closed; Unemployment Programs Update; DPHSS Update - GHS OCD

One additional COVID-19 case has been reported by the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) and will be included in this evening’s overall count.

To date, there have been 152 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths and 124 released from isolation. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice.

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided this evening once all tests from today are finalized.

For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.

Expanded Testing Continues
DPHSS in collaboration with the Government of Guam (GovGuam), private, and federal agencies continue expanded testing this week. Expanded testings are scheduled for Guma Trankilidat in Tumon on Tuesday, May 12 and GHURA public housing in Lower Agat, Upper Agat, and Merizo on Friday, May 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Testing is free and open to residents in these areas. Please show an I.D.

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please call your health care provider. If a patient does not have a regular health care provider, they can call any of the Community Health Centers or the DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline Phone Numbers listed below to report symptoms and obtain guidance from clinicians, or call 311.

(671) 480-7859
(671) 480-6760/3
(671) 480-7883
(671) 687-6170 (ADA Dedicated Number)

GovGuam Update - What’s Open, What’s Closed?
Under PCOR 2, GovGuam essential agencies remain operational and GovGuam nonessential agencies operate in a limited capacity. Refer to attached GovGuam PCOR2 Hours of Operation.

GDOL Updates on Unemployment Applications

The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) continues to work to make the employee online application module available. GDOL is not accepting applications for unemployment benefits at its physical locations at this time. The agency anticipates the module to be live in within two weeks.

To date, the employer registration count has risen to 763 registered employers, accounting for 13,064 employees. GDOL continues to encourage employers and business owners who have displaced workers to register at www.HireGuam.com and report employee information who have been furloughed, laid-off, or have reduced hours caused by COVID-19.

Stay updated with the employee online application module availability by following GDOL on facebook or visiting www.dol.guam.gov.

Medicare Fraud Information
Stay alert for fraud during the coronavirus national emergency. Con artists like to take advantage of people when they’re distracted and may try to get your Medicare Number or personal information so they can steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone.

Protect yourself from Medicare fraud. Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card. Remember:

Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare Number or other personal information unless you’ve given them permission in advance.
Medicare will never call you to sell you anything.
You may get calls from people promising you things if you give them a Medicare Number. Don’t do it.
Medicare will never visit you at your home.
Medicare can’t enroll you over the phone unless you called first.

Check regularly for Medicare billing fraud. Review your Medicare claims and Medicare Summary Notices for any services billed to your Medicare Number you don’t recognize. Report anything suspicious to Medicare. If you suspect fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE. For more information contact Chad Palomo of the DPHSS Division of Senior Citizens at 735-7421/7415 or through email at chad.palomo@dphss.guam.gov.

Guam in PCOR2
Guam remains in Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 2. PCOR 2 is the level with moderate restrictions and is intended to signal a positive movement toward normalcy. The PCOR 2 goals involve an effort to continue to slow the possible spread of COVID-19 while being able to gradually re-open certain business, non-governmental organization, government, and individual activities.

Industry specific guidelines are made available for businesses and non-governmental organizations on the DPHSS website:

http://dphss.guam.gov/pandemic-condition-of-readiness-level-2-pcor2-re-opening-your-business/

Although many businesses will be open to the public, the community is reminded to continue to practice precautionary measures:

Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others
Wear facial coverings around others and in public establishments
Adhere to respective business protocols in place for protection from COVID-19
Practice good hygiene frequently
Stay home if you are sick

While social gatherings of no more than 10 people are allowed, keep in mind the health and safety of your loved ones. Practice safe measures when around others by waving instead of hugging or embracing one another.

For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

GOVGUAM PCOR2 OPERATIONS (AS OF MAY 11)

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC RELEASE NO. 120 - One Tests Positive for COVID-19 from GRMC;Guam in PCOR2 - What’s Open, What’s Closed; Unemployment Programs Update; DPHSS Update