JIC RELEASE NO. 122 - DPHSS Continues Contact Tracing; Quarantine Mandate Remains in Effect; Contact Your Provider for COVID-19 Testing

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.

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. 

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

DPHSS Continues Contact Tracing of Guam Resident Who Tested Positive in Saipan
On Sunday, a Guam resident who traveled to Saipan tested positive for COVID-19. Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) continues to work with the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation on the case. Upon notification, DPHSS staff immediately started actively tracing contacts of the man. Close contacts will be quarantined and monitored for symptoms for 14 days from their last exposure to the patient.

Quarantine Mandate Remains in Effect
In accordance with Executive Order 2020-14, entry restrictions to Guam remain in place at this time. As this is an evolving situation, the following quarantine mandates remain in effect but are subject to change with little to no notice:

1. All inbound passengers to Guam will serve a mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility for 14 days upon arrival. 

2. Travelers may be exempt from the mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility, with the opportunity to self-quarantine from home, under the following conditions: 

   1. The traveler obtains a diagnostic specimen test for COVID-19 in the country of origin prior to arrival in Guam. The specimen must be collected and tested no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Guam. 
      
      And
       

   2.  The traveler presents a certified document from a medical provider that attests that the individual is not infected with SARS-CoV2 and is based on a negative test result from the specimen collected within the last 72 hours to the health screeners at the airport upon arrival in Guam. 

The testing facility where the specimen is tested for COVID-19 must be approved by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). The approval of the presented document is at the discretion of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services. 

For Transiting Passengers: 

• If the layover is less than 10 hours, the passenger can remain at the airport as long as they do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms.
• If the layover is more than 10 hours, passengers will be transported to a government-approved quarantine facility to wait for their outbound flight. Passengers can leave the quarantine facility if the date of their outbound is before the 14-day quarantine ends. 

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)

Symptoms of Coronavirus
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you or call the DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline or 311.

When to Seek Medical Attention
If you have any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering before medical help arrives.

DPHSS Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section Continue to be Closed Until Further Notice
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Division of Environmental Health’s (DEH) Processing Center Section, which issues health certificates, remain closed until further notice. The section was forced to relocate to another site as a result of the current emergency. Its ability to re-open has been further complicated by the need to accommodate nearly 5,000 anticipated new and renewing Health Certificate applicants. 

The Processing Center Section will only open when necessary measures are in place to protect its clients and employees. Those with expired health certificates since February 16, 2020, will remain valid.

For any questions, call 300-9568 or send an email to the Division of Environmental Health at dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

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