JIC RELEASE NO. 927 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-16 Rev.1 Amendment 1; COVID-19 Test Results: 637 New Cases, 26 Hospitalized; COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Clinic Schedules

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-16 Rev.1 Amendment 1
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Amendment 1 to DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-16 Rev.1. Amendment 1 clarifies the requirements for the completion of isolation for individuals identified for having SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and/or the completion of quarantine for those who come into close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19.

Amendment 1 states in furtherance of DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-16 Rev. 1, a DPHSS clearance letter is not required at the conclusion of the isolation or quarantine period, although a letter may be provided upon request by emailing covidclearance@dphss.guam.gov. To view Amendment 1 in its entirety, CLICK HERE.

Additionally, the community is reminded that people who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months (90 days) and recovered do not need to be tested following an exposure as long as they do not develop symptoms.

26 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 14 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 62 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 4 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: 637 New Cases of COVID-19 
Today, DPHSS reported 637 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,747 specimens analyzed on January 17, 2022. 267 cases were identified through contact tracing. Today’s reported case count includes 163 cases from the Department of Defense through test results produced between January 14 – 17, 2022. To date, there have been a total of 24,218 officially reported cases, 274 deaths, 4,533 cases in active isolation, and 19,411 not in active isolation. 

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. For the safety of the community and swabbers, only four (4) adults per vehicle are allowed to be tested. 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

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of January 17, 2022, a total of 131,956 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,007 residents 12 – 17 years old. 5,882 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 3,706 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 342 residents received their booster shots and a total of 46,970 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.