JIC RELEASE NO. 835 - Three COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Updates: 96 New Cases, 55 Hospitalized; Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Continues; DPHSS Job Fair Saturday, October 30, 2021; Food Commodities Distribution Continues

Three COVID-19-Related Fatalities Reported
The Joint Information Center (JIC) was notified of three (3) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 233rd COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on October 24, 2021. The patient was an 89-year-old female, vaccinated, with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on October 24. 

• The 234th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GRMC on October 27, 2021. The patient was a 67-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions. He tested positive on October 27. 

• The 235th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam on October 27, 2021. The patient was a three-month-old male. He tested positive on October 27.

"Josh, Jeff, and I pray for the families and their healing while they go through this undoubtedly alarming shock of loss," said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. "Check in on loved ones now more than ever and watch them for emergency warning signs and symptoms if you know someone who is sick or has COVID-19.”

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.

55 Hospitalized for COVID-19

SPECIAL NOTE: Based on today's data, if we were to compare two (2) hypothetical populations of 100,000 people each, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there would be 19 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 235 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID- 19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 12 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated.

COVID-19 Test Results: 96 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 96 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,271 tests performed on October 27. Twenty-seven (27) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 18,040 officially reported cases, 235 deaths, 2,136 cases in active isolation, and 15,669 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 17.6.

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (first two doses), the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• Anyone age 65 years and older

• Anyone age 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions

• Anyone 18 years and older 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 institutional settings.

For individuals who received the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. 

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment Continues
DPHSS, in partnership with the Mayors’ Council of Guam and the Guam National Guard, continues to offer outpatient monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center in Mangilao. Patients may receive mAb therapy if they meet the eligibility criteria through a referral from their private physician, from a COVID-19 community test site, or from a hospital. 

A Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Pre-Screening Assessment has been developed to guide individuals who may be eligible for mAb treatment. CLICK HERE for more information. To schedule an appointment, call 671-998-4627 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 671-734-9203 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

DPHSS Job Fair Saturday, October 30, 2021
DPHSS, in partnership with the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL), will be hosting a job fair on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Jobs Center, Bell Tower, in Anigua. DPHSS is recruiting approximately 70 individuals to fill positions for its COVID-19 response efforts. These positions will assist the department in community outreach, processing of laboratory specimens, case investigation, health disparities, administrative duties, nursing, and other functions.

For more information about the job fair and about positions available at DPHSS, visit dphss.guam.gov/careers. Potential applicants can begin preparing for the job fair by preparing an application packet which should include official proof of identity, work eligibility, a resume, and a high school diploma, GED, college degree, or transcripts from a recognized accredited institution.

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. 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 27, 51 additional residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 18 residents received their dose in the single-dose series, and an additional 79 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 123,534 (90.64%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 12,052 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, and 111,482 fully vaccinated adults. 9,327 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered to eligible residents as either a booster or an additional dose. 1,784 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered as an additional dose to eligible residents.

Click here to view JOB FAIR

Click here to view BOOSTER ELIGIBILITY