JIC RELEASE NO. 782 - 155th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; COVID-19 Hospital Census: 76; COVID-19 Test Results: 215 New Cases; Isolation Clearance Letters Available for Pick Up; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule; Additional Updates

155th COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified that Guam’s 155th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital at approximately 8:03 p.m. on September 8, 2021. The patient was a 54-year-old male, vaccinated, with multiple underlying health conditions, who tested positive upon arrival. 

“Jeff, Josh, and I offer our thoughts and sincerest condolences to his family and friends as our island is beset with the devastating effects of the pandemic,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “A renewed commitment to keep each other safe and mitigate against the spread is the best way to pay tribute and honor each life lost to this deadly virus.” 

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 need 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.

76 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 44 Unvaccinated
The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC), and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

COVID-19 Test Results: 215 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported two hundred fifteen (215) new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,197 tests performed on September 8. Sixty-four (64) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 12,034 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 155 deaths, 2,550 cases in active isolation, and 9,330 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 43.1.

Isolation Clearance Letters Available for Pick Up at DPHSS Hagåtña Office
Isolation clearance letters will be available for pick up for those who were in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. These clearance letters may be provided to your employer or school.

Clearance letters for those who tested positive for COVID-19 between August 9 to August 29 will be available at the DPHSS main office located at 155 Hesler Place in Hagåtña beginning Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Clearance letters will also be available on Saturday, September 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

For directions to the DPHSS main office, visit https://goo.gl/maps/BXUTfi4Z2fqeD7UT8. Please enter the DPHSS building through the double glass doors of the Division of Environmental Health.

Free COVID-19 Testing Schedule

For quicker service, visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing to download, print, and complete a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form before arriving at the testing site. Only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent/legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at DPHSS drive-thru testing sites and must be scheduled with the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) by calling (671) 635-7525/6. 

The community is reminded to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they are identified as close contacts to confirmed positive cases or are experiencing any of the known COVID-19 symptoms, which include, but are not limited to:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath 
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not exhaustive of all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Individuals waiting for COVID-19 test results must quarantine at home until cleared by DPHSS. Individuals whose test results are positive and who are at high risk for serious illness will be given information on outpatient monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 

Four GDOE Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed positive cases for COVID-19 involving four (4) employees. The employee cases were identified at  D.L. Perez Elementary School, Finegayan Elementary School, Astumbo Middle School, and Okkodo High School. In collaboration with the DPHSS, GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index case in order to schedule testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas of the campuses are taking place.

DPHSS will continue distributing Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Cards through Saturday, September 11. The P-EBT is federally funded and offered through the Food and Nutrition Services of the United States Department of Agriculture.

P-EBT Cards distribution is as follows:

Parents who visited the troubleshooting table at the initial site at the Micronesia Mall and were informed they will be contacted about their children’s cases do not need to schedule an appointment. You will be notified when you can pick up your child’s card.

School-aged students are eligible for P-EBT if they:

• were eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP); or
• received such meals because their school is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) but did not receive meals at school due to COVID-related closures or virtual learning.

Requirements for P-EBT distribution are as follows:

• Registration at tinyurl.com/pebtguam   
• Valid picture ID such as a Driver’s License, Guam ID, military ID or Passport. Photocopies of IDs are not accepted.
• Written authorization is not acceptable.
• You must be the registered parent/guardian for your child with GDOE. If you are not the registered parent/guardian, a P-EBT card WILL NOT be issued to you. If your child is an active member in another SNAP household, then a card will be issued to the head of household in that SNAP case.
• P-EBT Cards are issued to Child Protective Services (CPS) for children identified as a ward of the court or under the care of CPS. They will be contacting families directly.
• If the parent/guardian name is not listed, a DPHSS P-EBT Student Verification of Enrollment Form will be issued at the distribution site. This form will be taken back to the child’s respective school, where GDOE staff will complete and validate the form. Parents will then return the form to the troubleshooting table at the distribution site.
• Individuals, who have legal and/or temporary custody or Power of Attorney (POA), please ensure the guardianship is recorded and reflected in GDOE's PowerSchool system.

Benefits may be available between 12 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the dates specified above. P-EBT benefits are valid for one (1) year. School-aged students are eligible for P-EBT if they:

• were eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP); or
• received such meals because their school is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) but did not receive meals at school due to COVID-related closures or virtual learning.

For more information, please contact the P-EBT call center by calling 311 and dialing option 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Food Commodities Distribution Continues
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. Distribution is limited to three households per vehicle at the sites. Face masks must be worn; bring a photo ID. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
As of September 8, 137 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 34 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 201 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 111,613 (81.89%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 9,174 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 102,439. 

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.