JIC RELEASE NO. 512 - Results: 11 of 559 Tests Positive for COVID-19;Food Commodities Distribution through Village Mayors ContinuesRegistration for Vaccinations Continue through Village Mayors

Results: 11 New Cases of COVID-19
Eleven (11) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 559 tests performed by the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) on Sunday, December 27, 2020, and tests from additional labs from Friday, December 24 to Sunday, December 27. Two (2) cases were identified through contact tracing. Two (2) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. 

To date, there have been a total of 7,281 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 121 deaths, 252 cases in active isolation and 6,908 not in active isolation.

The COVID Area Risk (CAR) Score accounts for the incidence of new cases, how well current testing identifies these cases, and the rate of spread. The ideal long-term goal is to sustain a CAR Score of 2.5 or less, which has been shown to correlate with very low to zero COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. 

The following tables provide COVID-19 test results reported to the Joint Information Center on Monday, December 21 and reflects results from additional labs from Friday, December 24 to Sunday, December 27:

Food Commodities Distribution Through Village Mayors Continues
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE), State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Service (FNS) continues the distribution of food commodities through each mayor at the village level.  

Distribution will be via drive-through or door-to-door delivery. Recipients will receive one bag of TEFAP food commodities per household that may include elbow macaroni, oat circle cereal, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, canned pears, mixed fruit, canned beef, canned chicken, instant milk, kidney beans, pistachios, bottled orange juice, banana chips, and only mayors conducting drive-thru distribution will receive frozen orange juice. Food commodities will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. Commodity distribution in each village will be available to village constituents only and residents should call their respective mayor’s office for more information. Participants are reminded to wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and follow all traffic directions and signage.

Village Mayor’s distribution schedule for next week is as follows:

Registration for Vaccinations Continue through Village Mayors

DPHSS continues COVID-19 vaccinations for part of Phase 1b on Tuesday, December 29 through Wednesday, December 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Okkodo High School in Dededo. The school cafeteria and gymnasium will be set up as a temporary vaccination clinic. A government-issued ID is required and participants will be asked to present a list of their current doctor-prescribed medication. 

Pre-registration is required and is ongoing. Individuals ages 75 years and older should contact their village mayor’s office to pre-register. To pre-register, please provide the following information to your village mayor’s office:

• Full Name

• Date of Birth

• Contact Number

Those who registered after 1:00 p.m. on December 26 can report to Okkodo High School on Tuesday, December 29, between 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Only one escort per individual is allowed. DPHSS staff will also be on-site to provide assistance to individuals requiring special accommodations to enter the vaccine clinic. 

Additionally, health care workers who qualify under Phase 1a who were unable to receive their vaccine may go to the vaccination clinic between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30 at Okkodo High School. Health care workers are encouraged to present their professional license or work ID.

Pre-screening Eligibility for Vaccinations

In order to take the COVID-19 vaccine, you must meet the following pre-screening eligibility criteria:

• Must not be currently infected with COVID-19, or previously infected within the last 14 days

• Must never have taken other COVID-19 vaccine products

• Must not have received any other vaccine, such as the flu shot, in the last 14 days

A pre-screening eligibility handout is attached.

Exemption Request From Government Quarantine Must Be Made Online

DPHSS reminds all critical services workers, essential healthcare professionals, and passengers with medical emergencies seeking restriction of movement or exemptions from the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility following off-island travel to submit their requests online at dphss.guam.gov/quarantine. Requests must be submitted at least 10 days prior to arrival. DPHSS reviews requests in the order in which they are received and will only review requests submitted online.

GBHWC Crisis Hotline

The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline that is available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or are needing to talk to someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

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 Prescreening Eligibility