JIC RELEASE NO. 938 - Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; COVID-19 Test Results: 743 New Cases, 34 Hospitalized; New Hotline for Isolation Facility; 42 Cases with Delta Variant Identified; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Two COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported
Today, the Joint Information Center was notified of two (2) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 283rd COVID-19-related fatality was found deceased at a private residence on November 1, 2021, and was pronounced dead at the Chief Medical Examiner’s morgue on November 3, 2021. The patient was an 63-year-old male, unvaccinated, with underlying conditions. He tested positive on October 14, 2021.

• The 284th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on January 26, 2022. The patient was a 53-year-old female, unvaccinated, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on January 4, 2022. 

“Days of sadness are not yet behind us. While we remain steadfast in our effort to combat this virus through public health interventions, so many continue to mourn the loss of loved ones,” said Acting Governor Josh Tenorio. “To all those who have had to experience grief during this time, Governor Lou, First Gentleman Jeff, and I send our deepest condolences and sympathies.”

New Hotline for Isolation Facility
The community is advised that new phone numbers have been established for the Government of Guam Isolation Facility (ISOFAC) at the Bayview Hotel in Tumon. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 may call 671-998-4527 or 671-998-4547 daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. DPHSS nurses and staff will assist patients in determining whether they may be eligible for endorsement into the ISOFAC. 

34 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 22 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 56 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 3 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: 743 New Cases of COVID-19 
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 743 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,827 specimens analyzed on January 26, 2022. 106 of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 30,221 officially reported cases, 284 deaths, 6,653 cases in active isolation, and 23,284 not in active isolation.

42 Cases with Delta Variant Identified
DPHSS received forty-two (42) new results from virus samples on Wednesday collected on Guam between November 2, 2021 to December 3, 2021, which have undergone genome sequencing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DPHSS received the thirteenth set of results from the CDC. All 42 samples were identified as sublineages of the Delta Variant of Concern (VOC). The breakdown is as follows:

    Delta (VOC)

• Thirty-two (32) AY.25

• One (1) AY.103

• Six (6) AY.3

• Two (2) AY.44

• One (1) AY.69

To date, 531 SARS-CoV-2 virus samples have been submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Hawaii DOH State Lab Division for genome sequencing and identified a total of three hundred twenty-nine (329) COVID-19 cases infected with variants. DPHSS previously reported variants from results from the CDC and the Hawaii DOH State Lab and identified the following:

• eighty-nine (89) cases identified with the B.1.1.7 Alpha variant 

• four (4) cases identified with the B.1.351 Beta variant

• two hundred fourteen (214) cases identified with the Delta variant and its sublineages 

• fourteen (14) cases identified with the B.1.429 Epsilon variant 

• one (1) case identified with the P.1 Gamma variant

• seven (7) cases identified with the BA.1 Omicron variant

Tiyan COVID-19 Outreach Appointment-Based Testing
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. 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

COVID-19 Isolation Clearance Letters Not Required
The community is reminded that in accordance with DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-16 REV01 (Amendment 01), an isolation clearance letter is not required at the conclusion of the isolation or quarantine period. Although an isolation clearance letter may still be requested, businesses, organizations, and Government of Guam agencies are not required to have employees or staff furnish proof of the conclusion of isolation or quarantine to return to work or school.

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 January 26, 2022, a total of 132,643 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,122 residents 12 – 17 years old. 6,430 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 4,063 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 230 residents received their booster shots and a total of 50,108 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

Click here to view ISOLATION FACILITY HOTLINE