JIC RELEASE NO. 818 - Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Updates: 185 New Cases, 56 Hospitalized; Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Village Clinic Schedule; DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-29; Food Commodities Distribution Continues

Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified of three (3) COVID-19-related fatalities that occurred between October 10 – 12. 

• The 215th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on October 10. The patient was a 73-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on September 16, 2021.

• The 216th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on October 11, 2021. The patient was a 71-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on October 2.

• The 217th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GRMC on October 12, 2021. The patient was a 75-year-old female, unvaccinated, with unknown underlying health conditions. She tested positive on October 12.

“This pandemic has yet again taken more people from us,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Jeff, Josh, and I offer our deepest condolences to the families of our most recent COVID-19 deceased. We pray for the healing of their hearts and strength to overcome these tragic events.”

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-29
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memo 2021-29, relative to Non-Scholastic Organized Sports, Training, and Competition in accordance with Executive Orders No. 2021-19 and 2021-20. Guidance Memo 2021-29 requires organized sports to implement COVID-19 mitigation measures, including vaccination requirements for training and competition during the current Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 (PCOR 3), and supersedes DPHSS Memo 2021-08. 

Guidance 2021-29 does not apply to school-sanctioned or non-organized sport activities. Unless mentioned elsewhere, school-sanctioned sport activities shall continue to adhere to DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-23, while unorganized sports activities shall be considered as a congregation, and must adhere to DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-24.

Guidance Memo 2021-29 provides guidance and provisions as follows:

• Face Mask Requirements and physical distancing for Non-Scholastic Organized Sports, Training, and Competition
• Health and Hygiene
• Cleaning and Disinfecting
• Ventilation
• Health and Safety of Participants, Coaches, Officials, and Spectators
• Vaccination Requirements
• Signage

To read DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-29 in its entirety, CLICK HERE. For inquiries, call the Division of Environmental Health at 671-300-9579 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

56 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 32 Unvaccinated

COVID-19 Test Results: 185 New Cases of COVID-19

Today, DPHSS reported 185 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,444 tests performed on October 11. Seventy-four (74) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 16,461 officially reported cases, 217 deaths, 2,839 cases in active isolation, and 13,405 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 24.7.

For more information, visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Village Clinic Schedule
COVID-19 vaccine booster village clinics are being offered by DPHSS in partnership with the Mayors’ Council of Guam for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial two-dose series at least 6 months ago and are 65 years and older. For appointments, register at tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme or call your village mayor:

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Shots Available 
Booster Shots are available at the University of Guam Calvo Field House for people who had a normal immune response to the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, but because of time, antibody levels are beginning to wane. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only FDA authorized vaccine to administer as a booster. The following groups of people are eligible for a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech if they completed the Pfizer-BioNTech series (first two doses) and it has been 6 months or more since the second dose:

• Anyone age 65+
• Anyone age 18+ with underlying medical conditions
• Anyone 18+ with an elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their occupation (e.g. healthcare workers, law enforcement, fire, K-12 teachers and support staff, university faculty, daycare employees, food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, USPS workers, corrections workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers) or living settings

If eligible, please make your Booster Shot appointment at tinyurl.com/vaxguam. Walk-ins are accepted but should be prepared for longer wait times. 

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 October 11, 64 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 4 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 122 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 121,536 (89.17%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 11,401 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 110,135 fully vaccinated adults. 4,694 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 108 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.

Click here to view DPHSS GUIDANCE MEMO 2021-29 Non-Scholastic Organized Sports, Training, and Competition Relative to EO (10.12.2021)