JIC RELEASE NO. 622 - COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reviewed and Adjusted;Results: Two of 347 Test Positive for COVID-19; GMH Modifies Emergency Room Visitation; COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule; Food Commodities Distribution Continues;COVID-19 Community Testi

COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reviewed and Adjusted
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Chief Medical Officer and Territorial Epidemiologist, in coordination with the Acting Chief Medical Examiner, have been conducting a review of all possible COVID-19-related deaths. This coordinated review process has resulted in the classification of two additional deaths as COVID-19-related and has brought Guam’s current COVID-19-related death count to 136.

The 135th COVID-19-related fatality occurred on September 23, 2020. The patient was a 51-year-old female with underlying health conditions. She was admitted to the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam on August 28, 2020, and tested positive upon admission.

The 136th COVID-19-related fatality occurred on January 11, 2021. The patient was an 80-year-old female with underlying health conditions. She was admitted to the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on November 29, 2020, and tested positive upon admission. The patient expired at home after being discharged from GMH.  

“The passing of a loved one is never easy, but it can be especially difficult given the uncertainties still surrounding COVID-19. We hope these families find some comfort, and Jeff, Josh, and I send our deepest condolences and sympathies,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

Results: Two New Cases of COVID-19

Two (2) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 347 tests performed on Thursday, April 1. One (1) case reported recent travel history and was identified in quarantine. To date, there have been a total of 7,812 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 136 deaths, 27 cases in active isolation, and 7,649 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 from Thursday, April 1:

Preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations administered from December 17 to April 1:

*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 April 1, 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.

GMH Modifies Emergency Room Visitation

Beginning Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, one (1) designated family member or support person (visitor) may be authorized visitation in the Emergency Room (ER). To ensure quality and safe patient care, the following guidelines will be strictly enforced: 

• One (1) designated visitor may be granted authorization to support patients in the ER.

• Authorized visitors must register at the 1st floor Security located in the front lobby to:

  • complete a questionnaire, temperature check and other safety requirements;

  • present valid photo identification in exchange of a visitor's badge;

  • wear the visitor's badge on his/her person at all times;

  • surrender the visitor's badge upon the patient's disposition (admission or discharge) in exchange for photo identification.

• Authorized visitors will be escorted by Security to the designated ER Waiting Area.

• Authorized visitors will be allotted 15-minutes of visitation at bedside every hour, at the top of the hour.

• The 15-minute allotment may be suspended at the discretion of the ED Physician or the Charge Nurse on duty.

• Exchanging of visitors is prohibited.

• One (1) parent or guardian is authorized to accompany a pediatric patient for the duration of his/her stay in the ER.

• Visitors must follow traffic enforcement and directions from Security personnel at all times.

• Visitation is prohibited for adult, ambulatory patients in the Urgent Care and Fast Track Area.

Visitors may contact GMH Security at 647-2319 for additional information about the visitation policy. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics on April 6–17 at UOG Fieldhouse
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue Tuesday, April 6 to Saturday, April 17, from 12 p.m. to 6:30 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. 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. 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. 

UPDATE: Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics 
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. 

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 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 will be available to village constituents only. Commodities are also 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.

Food commodities for organizations are as follows:

COVID-19 Community Testing on April 5 in Tiyan
COVID-19 community testing will be held on Monday, April 5, 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. 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 be tested for COVID-19. For the safety of the community and nurses, only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. 

COVID-19 testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at this community testing site. Individuals seeking COVID-19 testing to travel off-island may contact the DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center at 635-7525/6 to schedule an appointment.

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 Guam COVID-19 Surveillance Sit Rep