JIC RELEASE NO. 238 - COVID-19 Community Outreach Testing Postponed Due to Inclement Weather;GMHA Modified Visitation - GHS OCD

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The Joint Information Center will report cumulative COVID-19 test results once a day, unless unavailable.

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

COVID-19 Community Outreach Testing Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
In anticipation of inclement weather, the COVID-19 community outreach testing originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 in Talofofo and Thursday, July 30 in Umatac has been postponed. These outreach events will be rescheduled.

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 the Northern Region Community Health Center in Dededo at (671) 635-7525 or the Department of Public Health and Social Services (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)

GMHA Modified Visitation
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) has implemented the following visitation guidelines, which went into effect July 26, 2020:

General Visiting Guidelines

Visitation is permitted between the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the exception of the ICU/CCU and COVID-19 Designated Areas;
Visitors must be 18 years old and above;
Visiting is restricted to immediate family members only (i.e. parents, children, and siblings), and only one (1) family member at a time;
All visitors must wear a face mask prior to entry into the facility and for the duration of the visit;
Visitors are subject to temperature checks and other screening measures in effect;
Visitors shall proceed directly to the patient’s room, and limit unnecessary movement within the facility. There will be no congregating in the patient rooms and waiting/lobby areas;
Visitors should practice proper hand hygiene and social distancing at all times;
One (1) authorized visitor/caregiver for minor patients, patients with disabilities, or patients who otherwise require a guardian, will be permitted inside the hospital facility. Overnight stays will only be permitted for these caregivers;
One (1) authorized visitor/caregiver for patients who are high risk for falls, suffer from dementia, or other serious ailments, will be permitted inside the hospital facility. Overnight stays will only be permitted for these caregivers;
Visitation for end of life patients will be limited to immediate family members only, 18 years old and above;
No visitation in the ER, except one (1) parent/guardian for pediatric patients;
Virtual visits are encouraged and can be arranged with the unit where the patient is located;
Management reserves the right to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Non-COVID Unit Specific Visiting Guidelines

ICU/CCU: Visiting hours in the ICU/CCU are from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Limited to one (1) person at a time;
Labor & Delivery: Patients may designate one (1) support person during labor and delivery stay. The rotation of support persons is not allowed. In addition to the support person, visitation is permitted as per the General Visiting Guidelines above;
Obstetrics Ward: Patients may designate one (1) support person during postpartum stay. The rotation of support persons is not allowed. In addition to the support person, visitation is permitted as per the General Guidelines above;
Nursery/NICU: Parents of Nursery/NICU patients may contact the unit, via the operator at 647-2330/2252, to schedule 15-30 minute visitation, or a virtual visit using electronic devices.

COVID-19 Patients and Designated Areas
Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are under investigation may not have visitors in the ER or in all units/departments wherein Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) or COVID-19 positive patients are treated or admitted. These areas include, but are not limited to, the CARE Areas 1, 2, and 3, and COVID ICU.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

Click Here to View POSTPONED COVID TESTING

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. 238 - COVID-19 Community Outreach Testing Postponed Due to Inclement Weather;GMHA Modified Visitation