JIC RELEASE NO. 156 - DPHSS Launches Symptoms Monitoring Service for COVID-19; Expanded Testing Continues - GHS OCD

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 175 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths, 148 released from isolation, and 22 active cases. 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/.

DPHSS Launches Symptoms Monitoring Service for COVID-19
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) will be using a remote monitoring system known as Symptoms Monitoring Service to monitor individuals identified as close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases and returning residents in 14-day home quarantine.

The symptoms monitoring app was developed in 2015 by Maryland-based company emocha Mobile Health and has supported 300 public health departments worldwide, including eight states and three U.S. territory health departments, such as the Guam DPHSS. The program has served as a model for other initiatives in the region and demonstrated how emocha can potentially help with other conditions on the island.

The smartphone app is currently used by the DPHSS TB Control Program and can be used to support and monitor COVID-19 exposed and infected contacts using a brief, asynchronous video symptoms check-in with DPHSS quarantine nurses. It can also assist with quickly identifying symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, whether infected or exposed, through effective reporting.

Additionally, COVID-19 exposed contacts will be able to log into the emocha app daily to report symptoms to DPHSS, take their own temperatures, and record a short video. The app will also ensure the Public Health teams' review of each submission and ability to answer questions or concerns through a two-way HIPAA-secure chat. As part of the 14-day quarantine requirement, individuals must adhere to symptom monitoring put forth by DPHSS. The identified individuals on Guam to be enrolled using the smartphone app will be contacted directly by DPHSS.

Expanded COVID-19 Testing Continues
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), in collaboration with the Government of Guam, the Mayors Council of Guam, private, and federal agencies continue expanded COVID-19 testing. Testing is free and open to the public. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. If your village is not listed, please proceed to a neighboring village for testing. Please bring an I.D., if one is available. The expanded testing schedule is as follows:

COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing:

Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Yigo Gym
- Free and open to Yigo residents
Friday, June 5, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Sinajana Mayor's office
- Free and open to Sinajana residents
Tuesday, June 9, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the DPHSS Southern Regional Community Health Center parking lot, Inarajan
- Free and open to Inarajan residents
Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Mongmong-Toto-Maite Community Center, Aragon St., across Toto church
- Free and open to Mongmong-Toto-Maite residents
Thursday, June 11, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Merizo Senior Center
- Free and open to Merizo residents
Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Piti Mayor’s Office
- Free and open to Piti residents
Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Santa Rita Senior Center
- Free and open to Santa Rita residents
Thursday, June 18, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the St. Anthony Church grounds, Tamuning
- Free and open to Tamuning and Tumon residents

COVID-19 Walk-Through Testing:

Thursday, June 4, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the GHURA Senior Housing, Dededo
- Free and open to GHURA elderly and public housing residents in Dededo

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 and dial option number 1.

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

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. 156 - DPHSS Launches Symptoms Monitoring Service for COVID-19; Expanded Testing Continues