JIC RELEASE NO. 139 - GPHL Closed on Monday; New Criteria for Release from Isolation;Expanded Testing Continues Next Week; GDOL Update; Public Parks and Beaches Remain Closed;CDC Guidance for Communities of Faith - GHS OCD

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided later today, if available.

The GHPL will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. There will be no tests run on Monday. The GPHL will reopen on Tuesday. Physicians are reminded to follow storage requirements by ensuring specimens are refrigerated at 2-8°C.

To date, there have been 165 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths and 134 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 and Situation Report at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.

New Criteria for Release from Isolation
New criteria for release of cases from isolation were implemented on May 22.

For persons having symptoms, at least 10 days have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever- reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) and any other symptoms attributed to COVID-19 infection AND at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared—or, with recurrent symptoms, at least 10 days have passed since recurrent symptoms appeared—AND at least 14 days have passed since the date of their first (or most recent) positive COVID-19 diagnostic test.

For persons without symptoms, at least 14 days have passed since the date of their first (or most recent) positive COVID-19 diagnostic test assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test.

Expanded Testing Continues
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) in collaboration with the Government of Guam (GovGuam), private, and federal agencies continue expanded testing this week. Please bring an I.D., if one is available. The expanded testing schedule follows:

Sunday, May 24, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Harmon Industrial Park (behind Ely Automotive Repair and across from Core Tech Apartments)

- Free and open to high risk individuals in congregate settings
Tuesday, May 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Tamuning Gym
- Free and open to unsheltered homeless population
- Catered meals will be provided after testing
Wednesday, May 27, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Paseo, Hagatna

- Free and open to unsheltered homeless population
- Catered meals will be provided after testing
Thursday, May 28, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Ypao Main Pavilion
- Free and open to unsheltered homeless population
- Catered meals will be provided after testing
Friday, May 29, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at 125 Iglesia Circle, Dededo (old fire station)
- Free and open to unsheltered homeless population
- Catered meals will be provided after testing

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)

GDOL Update
Today, the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) received its first allotment of $276 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) for pandemic unemployment benefits. USDOL transferred $174 million to Guam’s pandemic grant for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program and $102 million for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

This initial allotment is part of the $924 million supplemental budget request USDOL approved for Guam’s pandemic unemployment benefits. As the funds draw down, USDOL will post another allotment to PMS.

Originally slated to be in Guam's account last week, USDOL experienced system issues when trying to process the first allotment. The funds have now been processed and posted into the Health and Human Services Payment Management System (PMS). GDOL is preparing to launch the PUA and FPUC online application shortly. More information on the application process will be published once available.

Park and Beach Usage

All government of Guam parks and beaches remain closed to all activities except for individual use for purposes of exercise, both physical and mental, subject to social distancing mandates.

Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere to the social distancing directives issued by law enforcement or law enforcement partners to include representatives from the Mayors Council of Guam who assist in the enforcement of the mandates in effect. The community should also adhere to any closure signs or barricades.

CDC Announces Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith
Although Guam places of worship are currently able to operate while following social distancing mandates, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released general considerations to help communities of faith discern how best to practice their beliefs while keeping their staff and congregations safe. Millions of Americans embrace worship as an essential part of life. For many faith traditions, gathering together for worship is at the heart of what it means to be a community of faith, but as Americans are now aware, gatherings present a risk for increasing the spread of COVID-19 during this public health emergency.

CDC offers these suggestions for faith communities to consider, consistent with their own faith traditions, in the course of preparing to reconvene for in-person gatherings while still working to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Implementation should be guided by what is feasible, practical, and acceptable, and tailored to the needs and traditions of each community of faith.

The information offered is non-binding public health guidance for consideration only; it is not meant to regulate or prescribe standards for interactions of faith communities in houses of worship. Any decision to modify specific religious rites, rituals, and services should be made by religious leaders. Specific preventive actions are provided as examples only.

Please view the entire Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html

Avoid Sharing Unofficial Information
The Joint Information Center (JIC) is aware of false and unverified messages circulating on chat groups and social media about positive COVID-19 cases. The community is reminded to only share verified, official information with others to avoid the spread of misinformation.

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

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. 139 - GPHL Closed on Monday; New Criteria for Release from Isolation;Expanded Testing Continues Next Week; GDOL Update; Public Parks and Beaches Remain Closed;CDC Guidance for Communities of Faith