JIC RELEASE NO. 617 - DPHSS Places Order for 42,040 COVID-19 Vaccines; Results: Four of 670 Test Positive for COVID-19;GPD Reminds Motorists to be Mindful of Private Roadways and Public Easements; Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics; Food Commodities Di

DPHSS Places Order for 42,040 COVID-19 Vaccines
On Friday, March 26, the Department of Public Health and Social Services’ (DPHSS) Immunization Program placed an order of 25,740 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, 15,000 Moderna, and 1,300 Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J/Janssen) vaccines, totaling 42,040 COVID-19 vaccines for the month of April. All vaccines are anticipated to arrive within three to five business days. 

Results: Four New Cases of COVID-19

Four (4) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 670 tests performed by DPHSS on Sunday, March 28, and tests from additional labs from Friday, March 26 to Sunday, March 28. Two (2) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. Two (2) cases were identified through contact tracing.

To date, there have been a total of 7,804 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 134 deaths, 33 cases in active isolation, and 7,637 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 additional labs from Friday, March 26 to Sunday, March 28:

Preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations administered from December 17 to March 28:

*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.

****Johnson &Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccinations began on March 15 and were developed as a one-dose series.

^As of March 28 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 six doses of 0.3 mL. Vial labels and cartons may state that after dilution, a vial contains five 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 an allocation of 1,300 Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccines on March 8, 2021.

GPD Reminds Motorists to be Mindful of Private Roadways and Public Easements
The Guam Police Department asks motorists in line to receive food commodities, or those availing to other forms of COVID-19 public assistance offered to the community, to refrain from blocking public easements, private roadways, or entrances to private businesses. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for March 30-April 2 at UOG 
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue on Tuesday, March 30 to April 2, from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the UOG Fieldhouse. 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.

Eligibility is open to residents 16 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent or legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form on behalf of the minor to receive the vaccine. 

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 before the 10 a.m. opening and are asked to expect reasonable delays. Upon arrival, individuals 60 years and older will be sent to the front of the line. 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, FSM, Palau, or RMI Passport). 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 or 42 days after. 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.

Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled for March 30 & April 2
Village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations listed below. Clinic hours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m or while supplies last. Patients due for their second dose will be prioritized. Bring a photo ID and COVID-19 immunization card. Although walk-ins are accepted, residents are encouraged to register with their respective mayor’s office. 

Homebound Vaccinations Continue March 30 & April 2
Homebound vaccinations continue for those pre-registered with their village mayor. 

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 Food Nutrition Service, continues food commodities distribution through each mayor at the village level.  Recipients will receive TEFAP food commodities per household that may include canned chicken, chicken in a pouch, spaghetti sauce, mixed fruits, peaches, plums, yellow split peas, pistachios, hazelnuts, circle oat cereal, crispy hexagon cereal, and bottled cranapple juice. Distribution in each village will be available to village constituents only. Commodities are also being provided in bulk to the community organizations to distribute directly to their clients/families/households. Participants must wear a mask, maintain distance, and follow all traffic directions and signage.

Village Mayor’s distribution schedule is as follows:

Food commodities for organizations are as follows:

Enrolled Provider List for COVID-19 Vaccinations

Eligible residents may contact 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.