JIC RELEASE NO. 162 - DPHSS Begins Accepting Renewal Applications for Sanitary Permit; Expanded COVID-19 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 179 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths, 162 released from isolation, and 12 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 Begins Accepting Renewal Applications for Sanitary Permit
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Division of Environmental Health (DEH) will be accepting renewal applications for Sanitary Permits for all health-regulated establishments starting June 8, 2020. Pursuant to existing law, all Sanitary Permits expire June 30th of every year.

Completed applications and payment should be dropped off at the Guam Environmental Public Health Laboratory (aka Mosquito Lab) in Dededo, next to Northern Public Health. Payments must be made in a form of money order or check made out to the Treasurer of Guam in the exact amount. Credit card payments cannot be accepted at this time. When processed, the applicant will receive a call with instructions on the location, date, and time to pick up the renewed Sanitary Permit.

The renewal application may be downloaded from DEH’s website at https://dphss.guam.gov/division-of-environmental-health/. The Sanitary Permit fee is $290.00 for establishments with one to ten employees, and each additional employee thereafter is an additional $5.00. Applicants must also include a copy of their existing Sanitary Permit with their application. Furthermore, institutional establishments (childcare centers, etc.) must attach a copy of their license from the Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA). Cosmetology establishments (beauty/barber shops, salons, etc.) must include a copy of their license from the Board of Cosmetology. These renewal applications will be accepted, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by June 30, 2020.

Only the applicants will be allowed to enter the facility, and they are recommended to have their applications completed and all supporting document(s) included before coming to the facility. Family, friends, or children accompanying the applicant, and applicants who are feeling ill or experiencing any COVID-19 like symptoms, will not be permitted onto the premises. Wearing of face masks will be mandatory, and social distancing will be implemented. Applicants needing special accommodation must call 300-9579 at least two days prior to arriving.

For any questions, please contact DEH at 300-9579 or email dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

Expanded COVID-19 Testing Continues
DPHSS, in collaboration with the Government of Guam, the Mayors Council of Guam, private, and federal agencies, continues 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:

Monday, June 8, 2020, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the DPHSS Central Public Health Center, Barrigada
- Free and open to Palau 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 Church
- Free and open to Mongmong-Toto-Maite residents
Thursday, June 11, 2020, 1 p.m. - 4 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, 1 p.m. - 4 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
Tuesday, June 23, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the GPD Police Koban Parking Lot (next to Barrigada Community Center)
- Free and open to Barrigada residents

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. 162 - DPHSS Begins Accepting Renewal Applications for Sanitary Permit; Expanded COVID-19 Testing Continues