JIC RELEASE NO. 603 - 134th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported;Results: Five of 608 Test Positive for COVID-19; VAPPC Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to 40 Years & Older - Effective Thursday;COVID-19 Community Testing Next Week in Tiyan, Barrigada; C

134th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 134th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on March 13, 2021, at approximately 4:26 p.m. The patient was a 60-year-old female with underlying health conditions. She was admitted to GMH on January 18, 2021, and was a known positive case.

“To those who knew her, Jeff, Josh, and I send our sincerest condolences and sympathies. Grief cannot be healed quickly—it is something we must work with each passing day. Please know you are not alone in your mourning,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

Results: Five New Cases of COVID-19
Five (5) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 608 tests performed by the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) on Sunday, March 14, and tests from additional labs from Friday, March 12 to Sunday, March 14. Three (3) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine.

To date, there have been a total of 7,773 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 134 deaths, 27 cases in active isolation, and 7,612 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 Monday, March 15,

and reflects results additional labs from Friday, March 12 to Sunday, March 14:

The following provides preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the JIC on Monday, March 15, for vaccinations administered from December 17 to March 14:

*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 March 14, 2021. Total doses administered and allotted doses differ as vaccinators were able to draw additional doses per vial. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s February 25, 2021 revision of their Fact Sheet relative to the Pfizer-BioNTech Emergency Use Authorization now states “After dilution, one vial contains 6 doses of 0.3 mL. Vial labels and cartons may state that after dilution, a vial contains 5 doses of 0.3 mL. The information in this Fact Sheet regarding the number of doses per vial after dilution supersedes the number of doses stated on vial labels and cartons.” | ^^Reflects the previous allocation total of 86,560 and last received allocation of 1,300 Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccines on March 8, 2021.

VAPPC Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to 40 Years & Older - Effective Thursday
During their weekly virtual meeting on Monday, the Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Policy
Committee (VAPPC) agreed to expand the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to adult residents 40 years and older effective Thursday, March 18. The committee also discussed best uses of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. As previously discussed during their March 9 meeting, the VAPPC heard considerations for populations that will best be served by the J&J/Janssen vaccine, including patients being discharged from the hospital. 

The VAPPC also approved plans for DPHSS to move forward on a pilot project in partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Consulate Office, FSM Association of Guam, American Medical Center (AMC), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC), and other community leaders and stakeholders from neighboring islands to launch a mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic for members of the FSM community.   

In line with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero’s plan to reopen the island to tourism on May 1, the VAPPC will consider expanding vaccination eligibility to tourism industry workers. Currently, the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association (GHRA) is conducting a count to determine how many individuals would need vaccines. These discussions were tabled to a later meeting, pending GHRA’s findings. 

COVID-19 Community Testing March 17 and 19 in Tiyan, Barrigada
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), in collaboration with the Mayors’ Council of Guam, Guam Department of Education, Guam Police Department, Guam Fire Department, and other GovGuam and federal agencies, continues COVID-19 community testing on Wednesday, March
7, and Friday, March 19, at the Old Carnival Grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

DPHSS will offer up to 150 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. 

For the safety of the community and the nurses, only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Please bring a picture ID.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for March 16 – 20 at UOG Fieldhouse
COVID-19 vaccination clinics resume on Tuesday, March 16 through Saturday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These clinics will administer first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and second doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson  vaccine is not available at the UOG vaccination clinic at this time. Eligible residents are advised to schedule an appointment online via Eventbrite at the link provided above or click here. Eligibility is subject to change. 

If scheduling an appointment is not possible, walk-ins will be accepted at a limited rate of 15 per hour. Walk-ins wishing to avoid longer wait times are discouraged from lining up prior to the 10 a.m. opening and are asked to expect reasonable delays.

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.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those due for their second dose of the vaccine may get their second dose up to four (4) days early. 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.

Homebound Vaccinations Continue March 16-18
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, continues homebound vaccinations for those pre-registered with their village mayor and meet eligibility criteria. Homebound vaccinations are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the villages and locations listed below: 

Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled for March 16 & 19
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, and the Guam Department of Education, continues village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Monday, March 15 at the Inarajan Mayor’s Office; Tuesday, March 16 at the Mangilao Senior Center; and Friday, March 19 at the Agat Gym. Village-based clinic hours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m or while supplies last. Patients who are due for their second dose will be prioritized. Please bring a photo ID and COVID-19 immunization card. Although walk-ins are accepted, eligible village residents are encouraged to register with their respective mayor’s office. 

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.

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 Covid19 Testing

Click here to view MARCH 16-20 VACCINATIONS