JIC RELEASE NO. 922 - 274th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; COVID-19 Test Results: 423 New Cases, 18 Hospitalized; COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Clinic Schedules; DPHSS Isolation Clearance Letters Available via E-mail

274th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 274th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam (USNH) on January 11, 2022. The patient was a 66-year-old female, partially vaccinated with underlying health conditions. She tested positive on January 11, 2022. 

“Josh, Jeff and I pray for comfort of her loved ones in this most difficult time,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “By protecting ourselves individually, we are also able to protect our most vulnerable.”

Older Adults, People with Serious Chronic Medical Conditions are Most at Risk for Serious Complications and Death Due to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
Older adults and individuals with serious chronic medical conditions are most at risk for serious complications and death due to COVID-19. Serious chronic medical conditions include:

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Lung disease

• Obesity

• Immunocompromised conditions (e.g. cancer, lupus)

• Chronic liver disease

• Chronic renal disease

• Neurologic or neurodevelopmental condition

• Current or former smoking

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. Individuals who are sick are advised to:

• 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.

18 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 8 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 80 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 10 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: 423 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 423 new cases of COVID-19 from 3,286 specimens analyzed on January 12, 2022. 135 cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 22,479 officially reported cases, 274 deaths, 2,934 cases in active isolation, and 19,271 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 233.0.

Tiyan COVID-19 Outreach Moves to Appointment-Based Testing, Hours Extended
Community COVID-19 testing at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada has transitioned to an appointment-based system with extended hours. Unscheduled drive-ups will be accepted on a limited basis. Starting Monday, January 17, 2022, symptomatic patients will be prioritized at unscheduled drive-ups. 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. 

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

DPHSS Isolation Clearance Letters Available via e-mail
Isolation clearance letters may be provided upon completion of an isolation period for those who tested as confirmed positive for COVID-19. Send your request via email to: covidclearance@dphss.guam.gov.Isolation clearance letter requests must include all of the following: 

• Full name 

• Date of birth

• Test date and location 

• Contact phone numbers

• Email Address 

• Vaccination status (brand, dose dates including booster)

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of January 12, 2022, a total of 131,650 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 12,957 residents 12 – 17 years old. 5,507 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 3,531 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 565 residents received their booster shots and a total of 44,305 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.