JIC RELEASE NO. 920 - 273rd COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; COVID-19 Test Results: 422 New Cases, 13 Hospitalized; Tiyan COVID-19 Outreach Moves to Appointment-Based Testing

273rd COVID-19-related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 273rd COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the U.S. Naval Hospital on January 5, 2022. The patient was a 90-year-old male, partially vaccinated with underlying health conditions. He tested positive on December 27, 2021. 

“A loved one’s passing is a difficult time, and to his family and friends, Jeff, Josh, and I extend our deepest condolences,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “We honor his memory and all our victims of COVID-19 by forging forward in our response, using all the tools at our disposal to protect others from this deadly virus.”

13 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 5 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 69 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 14 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated. *Estimated population is based on DPHSS Immunization Program analysis of 2020 Census data. Updates are expected pending further Census 2020 data breakdown.

COVID-19 Test Results: 422 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 422 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,304 specimens analyzed on January 10, 2022. 126 cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 21,540 officially reported cases, 273 deaths, 2,062 cases in active isolation, and 19,205 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 189.3.

Tiyan COVID-19 Outreach Moves to Appointment-Based Testing, Hours Extended
The community COVID-19 testing at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada has transitioned to an appointment-based system. Scheduling of appointments for COVID-19 testing will allow for more efficient processing and reduce long lines and wait times. Unscheduled drive-ups will be accepted on a limited basis. Testing hours have been extended to accommodate more patients. The new hours are listed below. To schedule an appointment, visit tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme. 

Fill out a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form ahead of time, available at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. 

Register for SimpleReport for Faster Processing of COVID-19 Test Results
Residents and patients who plan to get tested for COVID-19 are encouraged to register for SimpleReport, a free, user-friendly web-based app, that remembers required patient information for easier, simpler reporting of COVID-19 test results. Once registration is completed, protected patient information is stored for all future testing. A QR code may be issued to patients once they are registered to the SimpleReport system. Register for SimpleReport: tinyurl.com/guamtesting.

Individuals who test negative for COVID-19 will receive a text message through their mobile phones with instructions to verify their identity to view their results. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be contacted the same day of testing and are encouraged to isolate immediately. DPHSS staff will contact the patient to screen for other isolation measures, symptoms, and coordinate for monoclonal antibody therapy treatment, if eligible. You may also request for a copy of your results via email by sending a request to covidresults@dphss.guam.gov. 

After-school COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Continues
DPHSS, in partnership with the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), continues after-school vaccination clinics open to the community. All eligible students, with parental consent, are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

First doses, second doses and boosters are available. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines available.

Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:

• Parent/legal guardian must provide minor’s birth certificate 

• Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued photo identification (ID)

• Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

• Guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents

COVID-19 Booster Shot Interval Shortened, Eligibility Expands, and 3rd Primary Dose for

Immunocompromised Children 5 to 11 Years Old Available

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated recommendations for administering the COVID-19 vaccine, to include:

• Shortening the interval for when eligible people can receive a booster dose, from 6 months to 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. This means that eligible people can receive an mRNA booster dose 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. The booster dose interval recommendations for people who received their Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (2 months) or Moderna (6 months) has not changed.   

• Expanding the COVID-19 boosters to adolescents ages 12 to 15 years old. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 12 to 15 years old.

• Authorizing a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children aged 5 to 11 years old. The CDC is recommending moderately or severely immunocompromised 5 to 11 year olds receive an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine to complete the primary series, with a total of three doses. The additional dose should be spaced 28 days after the second dose. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children 5 to 11 years of age. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of January 10, 2022, a total of 131,473 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 12,957 residents 12 – 17 years old. 5,306 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 3,439 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 541 residents received their booster shots and a total of 43,207 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

Click here to view AFTER SCHOOL VACCINATION JAN11-13

Click here to view AFTER SCHOOL VACCINATIONS JAN18-20