JIC RELEASE NO. 582 - Results: Two of 446 Test Positive for COVID-19;DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-07 and 2021-06 Revision 1;Commodities Distribution at Inarajan Mayor’s Office;COVID-19 Community Testing in Tiyan Tomorrow;Food Commodities Distribution C

Results: Two New Cases of COVID-19
Two (2) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 446 tests performed on Tuesday, February 23. One (1) case reported recent travel history and was identified in quarantine.

To date, there have been a total of 7,729 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 130 deaths, 44 cases in active isolation, and 7,555 not in active isolation.

1The 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 JIC on Wednesday, February 24, and reflects results from Tuesday, February 23:

The following provides preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the JIC on Wednesday, February 24, for vaccinations administered from December 17 to February 23:

*Administering second doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 4, 2021.

**Administering first doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 8, 2021.

***Administering second doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 29, 2021.

^As of February 23, 2021 | ^^Reflects the previous allocation total of 43,500 and last received allocation of 7,800 on February 7, 2021

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-07
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memo 2021-07 relative to the Minimum Requirements for the Operation of Restaurants, Bars, Taverns, and other Eating and Drinking Establishments (EDEs). DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-07 provides operational requirements for EDEs to implement mitigation measures to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19 from person-to-person spread and touching contact surfaces during Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 (PCOR 3) along with guidance for: 

• Messaging and information;
• The use of face masks;
• Physical distancing;
• Employee health and hygiene;
• Cleaning and disinfecting;
• Ventilation;
• Communal spaces and;
• The health and safety of employees and guests

To read DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-07 in its entirety, please click HERE.

• EFFECTIVE 5PM, FEBRUARY 24, 2021: Bars and taverns are authorized to operate at no more than fifty percent (50%) occupancy load with the following provisions:

  • Face masks are worn at all times by customers (and employees), except when actively eating and drinking;

  • The food concession adherences to the Guam Food Code;

  • Communal food and condiments that requires shared serving utensils or equipment are eliminated;

  • Barriers between employees and customers are provided at service counter or point of sale; and

  • A written record is maintained by the establishment, which provides the following information that must be readily available to DPHSS, when requested:

    • Date and time of the visit of every customer;

    • Name of customer(s);

    • Customer’s seating area;

    • Number of customers in each bowling lane; and

    • Phone and/or email of every customer

• When providing live entertainment, with the following requirements: 

  • In a bar or a tavern, all live entertainment at bars and taverns must meet the 6 feet distance requirements between the entertainer(s) and customers;

  • All performers are strongly recommended to be 6 feet apart from one another in all directions; 

  • Face masks must be worn by all performers at all times, except for those who are actively singing, in which case physical barriers may be used where the top horizontal edge height of physical barrier (i.e., Plexiglass) is a minimum of 6 feet above the stage floor between the live entertainer and customers;

  • When present, all wind-blown instruments must have a bell covering or be in an instrument bag when not in use;

  • All customers must refrain from cheering or singing along;

  • Cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces must be conducted pursuant to CDC disinfection criteria between each live entertainment from different performers; and

  • Sharing of microphones, props, and other items used for performances are prohibited, unless they are properly cleaned and disinfected between uses by different individuals.

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-06 REV1
Today, DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2021-06 Revision 1 to advise the public of restrictions and allowances for public and private operations in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-04 during the current Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 (PCOR 3). 

While DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-06 issued on February 22, authorizes retail stores to operate at 75% occupancy load, DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-06 Revision 1 issued today only authorizes cigars, tobacco shops and vape shops to operate at 50% occupancy load.

Additionally, reservations to celebrate public and private functions (i.e., anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations) at Eating and Drinking Establishments and other public venues where the total number of guests exceed twenty-five (25) individuals;  Contact sporting events of all types and organized games and; Senior Citizen Centers; and all other businesses and services not identified by Guidance Memo 2021-06 Revision 1 are prohibited at this time. 

Social gatherings remain limited to no more than twenty-five (25) people, with social distancing maintained for gatherings where individuals are from different immediate family units or from a single household unit. Individuals participating in a social gathering must wear face masks to the greatest extent possible under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance, or as provided in applicable DPHSS guidance.

To view this guidance memo in its entirety, click HERE. For more information on DPHSS guidance memos, please call the DPHSS Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 or 300-9562.

Commodities Distribution at Inarajan Mayor’s Office
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Service (FNS) continues food commodities distribution for the month of February in partnership with the local mayors and community organizations. Frozen and chilled food commodities will be distributed on a first come, first served basis at the Inarajan Mayors Office drive thru on Wednesday, February 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursday, February 25 from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., or while supplies last. The distribution is available for Inarajan residents. Face masks must be worn.

The Inarajan Mayor’s Office will be closed during the hours of commodities distribution.

For more information, or if special accommodations for distribution are needed, call the Inarajan Mayor’s Office at 475-2509/11.  

Community Testing Continues February 25 in Tiyan, Barrigada
DPHSS, in collaboration with the Mayors’ Council of Guam, Guam National Guard, Guam Police Department, Guam Fire Department, and other GovGuam and federal agencies, continues COVID-19 community testing on Thursday, February 25 at the Old Carnival Grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

DPHSS will offer up to 200 COVID-19 tests on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are reminded that this event is only a COVID-19 community testing. NO VACCINATIONS will be offered at this location.

Food Commodities Distribution 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 food commodities distribution in partnership with community organizations.

Commodities are provided, in bags and in bulk, to community organizations. Organizations will distribute food commodities directly to their clients/families/households. Organizations will receive an array of non-perishable food commodities.
 

The following is a schedule of food commodities to be picked up by organizations:

Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled for Feb. 26
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, and GDOE, continues village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Friday, February 26 at the Barrigada Community Center. Village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic hours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Although walk-ins are accepted, eligible village residents are encouraged to register with their respective mayor’s office. Up to 100 doses will be administered at this clinic location.

Homebound Vaccination Continues February 26
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, and GDOE, continues homebound vaccinations for those who pre-registered with their respective village mayors and met the eligibility criteria. Homebound vaccinations are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 26 in Barrigada.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for February 25 & 26 at UOG Fieldhouse
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 at the UOG Fieldhouse. These clinics will prioritize those due for their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Those due for their second dose of the vaccine may get their second dose up to four (4) days early. Due to limited supply, Pfizer-BioNTech first doses will be limited to 60 per hour for eligible individuals. No first doses of the Moderna vaccine will be administered. 

Walk-ins wishing to avoid long wait times are discouraged from arriving at the 1 p.m. hour. Average wait times during this hour are generally 2-3 times longer than those later in the afternoon or early evening. 

Upon arrival, individuals 70 years and older will be sent to the front of the line. Please bring a digital or hard copy appointment confirmation, a photo ID, and proof of Guam residency (Guam Driver's License, Guam ID, Green Card, US or FSM Passport, H1B or H2B visas for skilled workers). Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. This ensures quicker processing and proper documentation.

February 27 Vaccination Clinic to be Rescheduled 
As the island continues toward achieving herd immunity, global demand for the vaccine will affect supply levels, which may affect vaccination clinics. Limited supply for the remainder of the month will result in the postponement of the vaccination clinic scheduled for Saturday, February 27, at the UOG Fieldhouse. Affected individuals may receive a call from the UOG Call Center on behalf of DPHSS, informing them of the clinic postponement. Once vaccine supply is restored, additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled and announced to ensure these individuals complete their vaccination series. 

All other vaccination clinics and appointments scheduled through Friday, February 26 remain unaffected at this time. 

Those who anticipated receiving their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Saturday, February 27, are encouraged to proceed to the vaccination clinic scheduled for Friday, February 26 at the UOG Fieldhouse. 

Short-term deferral of the second dose will not decrease the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, nor will affected individuals be required to restart the vaccination series. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible. The CDC further states that if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval and a delay in vaccination is unavoidable, the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose.

Enrolled Provider List for COVID-19 Vaccinations
In addition to mass vaccination clinics held at the UOG Fieldhouse, eligible Guam residents may contact any of the participating enrolled providers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:

+Public and private clinics and pharmacies may become enrolled providers after first agreeing to participate in the DPHSS vaccination program. Enrolled providers must meet federal storage and handling requirements for COVID-19 vaccines as established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designate staff to complete CDC online training and certification courses, and enroll to report vaccine administration through DPHSS Immunization Registry to meet CDC reporting requirements. Enrolled providers will continue to receive COVID-19 vaccination allocations from DPHSS monthly if the island’s vaccination allocation supply permits and if they continue to uphold these requirements.

Pre-screening Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccinations
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 exposed within the last 14 days

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

*Please note: If this is your first time receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please make sure you have never taken other COVID-19 vaccine products. Please visit dphss.guam.gov to view the pre-screening eligibility.

V-Safe Vaccine Symptom Monitoring 
After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, register for v-safe, offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins. You can quickly report side effects, and depending on your answers, you may receive a call from CDC. V-safe will remind you to get your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up at vsafe.cdc.gov.

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline 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 FREE COVID19 TESTING

Click here to view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-07 re Bars Taverns Rest 02.24.21 FINAL

Click here to view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-06 REV1 PCOR3 02.24.2021 FINAL