JIC RELEASE NO. 697 - Six of 1,224 Test Positive for COVID-19; DPHSS Issues Guidance Memos 2020-11 REV 11 Amendment 3 and 2021-16; GDOE Employee Test Positive for COVID-19; Worksite & Group Vaccination Clinics Available; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing S

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-11 REV 11 Amendment 3 
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 REV 11 Amendment 3, relative to critical service workers (CSW) arriving into Guam who are not fully vaccinated with a US FDA EUA COVID-19 vaccine. DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 REV 11 Amendment 3 provides additional protocols for CSWs arriving in Guam who are not eligible for exemption from quarantine, as outlined in the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Guidance Memorandum 2020-11 Revision 11, as amended. 

CSWs who are fully vaccinated with a US FDA EUA COVID-19 vaccine may qualify for quarantine at an approved rental lodging or personal residence with Restriction of Movement (ROM) guidelines allowing CSWs to report to work during their quarantine period. CSWs are required to present the following at the airport upon arrival:

• an endorsement letter from an authorized DPHSS official and
• an acceptable negative COVID-19 test result collected within 72 hours prior to arrival into Guam.

CSWs seeking ROM but do not present an endorsement letter from an authorized DPHSS official upon arrival shall be subject to the following requirements:

• Must go directly from the port of entry to the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility (QFAC);
• Must request CSW status at the QFAC; and,
• Must agree to receive a COVID-19 test no later than 48 hours.
  • In the event an individual receives a positive COVID-19 test result, the individual will be subject to isolation protocols established by DPHSS and will be isolated at a Government of Guam Isolation Facility.
  • If the individual receives a negative COVID-19 test result:
    • The individual may finish the remaining 10-day quarantine period at an approved rental lodging or personal residence under ROM;
    • The CSW may only leave the quarantine location for work and medical emergencies or approved medical appointments;
    • Individual must adhere to symptom monitoring by DPHSS; and
    • Must report any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to DPHSS monitoring staff, and immediately stop working and isolate if they become symptomatic

Requests for CSW exemption status must be submitted to the DPHSS website at dphss.guam.gov/quarantine. Requests will be reviewed by an authorized DPHSS official and subject to approval on a case-by-case basis. The CSW will be required to provide supporting documentation for verification of the circumstances.

To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 REV 11 Amendment 3 in its entirety, click HERE.

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-16 
On Thursday, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-16, relative to updating the community on actions to take if an individual identified for having SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or if an individual becomes exposed to someone confirmed with COVID-19. DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-16 is in accordance with the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and provides for guidance which includes, but is not limited to:
 

• Addressing Sick Individuals – if you are sick, you should:
  • Stay home, except to seek medical care. Call ahead before visiting the clinic/doctor;
  • Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headaches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea and/or diarrhea;
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19. While waiting for test results, you should stay away from others, including staying apart from those living in your household;
  • Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19 and seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you are experiencing any of the following warning signs of COVID-19:
    • Trouble breathing;
    • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest;
    • New confusion;
    • Inability to wake or stay awake;
    • Bluish lips or face

• Testing for COVID-19
  • COVID-19 tests are available to help determine current infection or past infection.
  • Viral tests look for current infection and may include:
    • a Molecular test, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus's genetic material, and
    • Antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus.
  • Antibody test (serology test) might tell you if you had a past infection. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current infection.

• Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19;
  • Close contacts with someone confirmed with COVID-19
    • Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-19 symptoms do not need to be tested following an exposure to someone with COVID-19; 
    • People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days and recovered do not need to get tested following an exposure as long as they do not develop symptoms.
  • People who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 because they cannot physically distance as needed to avoid exposure (e.g., recent travel, attending large gatherings).

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-16 further states that waiting for your test result, you should self-quarantine at home, stay away from others, including staying apart from those living in your household, and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 until you receive your result. Guidance Memo 2021-16 provides recommendations and actions for:

• Testing positive for COVID-19
• Isolation
• Close contacts
• Contacts of close contacts
• Prior COVID-19 infections

To read DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-16 in its entirety, click HERE.

Results: Six New Cases of COVID-19
Six (6) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 1,224 tests performed on Thursday, June 10. Three (3) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine.To date, there have been a total of 8,236 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 139 deaths, 67 cases in active isolation, and 8,030 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 0.3.

GDOE Employee Test Positive for COVID-19
On Thursday, June 10, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed one case in which an individual tested positive for COVID-19. The individual has been identified as an employee at the Tiyan central office. In collaboration with DPHSS, GDOE is conducting contact tracing to identify and notify individuals who were in close contact with these individuals. Currently no contact has been identified at the Tiyan central office. This individual will be placed under isolation until the individual is cleared by DPHSS.

Worksite & Group Vaccination Clinics Available
In partnership with the Governor’s Office, the Guam National Guard (GUNG) is ready to mobilize onsite vaccination clinics for interested parties. Similar to the vaccination outreach held at the Port Authority of Guam on June 2, the GUNG can administer the COVID-19 vaccine at worksites or for large groups of at least 50 people. For more information, call 682-2172. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations and times below. Bring a photo ID. Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. To view the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccination clinics, visit dphss.guam.gov/vaccinategu or vaccinate.guam.gov. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. Minor’s birth certificate is acceptable. Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued ID. Guardians must also present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney document. 

Free COVID-19 Testing Schedule
COVID-19 community testing continues. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at these community testing sites. 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. Priority is given to patients under investigation and those traveling for medical purposes. For the safety of the community and nurses, only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Results available onsite. Testing times, dates and locations are below:

SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment (EA) Issuances for June 2021
DPHSS announces that the SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment (EA) for June 2021 will be released on June 18, 2021. These benefits will be electronically loaded into the SNAP recipients’ EBT cards.

For more information, contact the DPHSS Bureau of Economic Security:

• BES North (Dededo) at 635-7488/7484/7439/635-7396/7429
• BES Central (RAN-Care) at 300-8853/8854/8850/8865

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 distribution will be available to village constituents only on a first-come, first-served basis. A limit of three households per vehicle will be serviced at the distributions. Face masks must be worn. Bring a photo ID. Village Mayors distribution schedule is as follows:

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 DPHSS Travel Guidance Memo 2021-11 Rev 11 (Amendment 3) - Critical Service Workers (06112021)

Click here to view DPHSS GUIDANCE MEMO 2021-06