JIC RELEASE NO. 967 - 317th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 274 New Cases, 44 Hospitalized; No Symptoms Needed to Test for COVID-19 - GHS OCD

317th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported

Today, the Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 317th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on February 19, 2022. The patient was a 74-year-old male, with no known vaccination, who had underlying health conditions and tested positive on February 12.

“We are yet again faced with the harsh reality that this virus continues to take from us. For those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, Jeff, Josh, and I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “We must continue with the public health interventions that have helped us gain ground throughout this pandemic. Please get vaccinated and boosted if it’s your time and keep a close watch on vulnerable family members. Testing is open to all and life saving treatments are available.”

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE.

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. 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.

Older Adults, People with Serious Chronic Medical Conditions are Most at Risk for Serious Complications and Death Due to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19

Serious chronic medical conditions include:

Heart disease
Diabetes
Lung disease
Obesity
Immunocompromised conditions (e.g. cancer, lupus)
Chronic renal disease
Neurologic or neurodevelopmental condition
Current or former smoking
Chronic liver disease

44 Hospitalized for COVID-19

CENSUS as of 5 p.m.	GMH	GRMC	USNH	TOTAL
COVID-19 Admission	30	14	-	44
Pediatric Admissions	0	-	-	0
ICU	5	1	-	6
Ventilator	2	0	-	2

VACCINATION STATUS	VACCINATED	UNVACCINATED	INELIGIBLE (0-4 years old)
Hospitalized	29	15	0
Total in Population*	134,499	7,108	12,229
Rate per 100,000 Population	22	211	0

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 211 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.

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 274 New Cases Reported February 19 – 21

From February 19-21, 2022, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 274 new cases of COVID-19. The 274 new cases does not include cases previously reported in JIC Release No. 965 and 966. The breakdown of the cumulative results is below:

February 21: 59 of 189 test positive for COVID-19
February 20: 232 of 836 test positive for COVID-19 (141 cases previously reported).
February 19: 303 of 392 test positive for COVID-19 (179 cases previously reported).

To date, there have been a total of 42,818 officially reported cases, 317 deaths, 3,505 cases in active isolation, and 38,996 not in active isolation.

No Symptoms Needed to Test for COVID-19

In the past week, DPHSS has received adequate supplies of test kits to offer COVID-19 testing to the public. No symptoms are needed to test at the Tiyan community testing site. DPHSS has since rescinded its COVID-19 Testing - Screening Guide Memorandum. However, COVID-19 testing at DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) and Southern Region Community Health Center (SRCHC) will continue to be offered to only symptomatic patients and close contacts by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, visit tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme.

FREE COVID-19 COMMUNITY TESTING

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

Feb. 22–26, 2022:

8 a.m. - 12 p.m.,

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Old Carnival Grounds, Tiyan, Barrigada

COVID-19 testing will be offered by appointment through tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme.

Four adults per vehicle. Bring a photo ID.Travel-related testing will not be offered.

NO SYMPTOMS NEEDED TO TEST FOR COVID-19

Feb. 22–26, 2022:

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

DPHSS Southern Region Community Health Center (SRCHC), Inalåhan

By appointment only for individuals with COVID-like symptoms. Four adults per vehicle. Bring a photo ID. Travel-related testing will not be offered. Call (671) 828-7604/5/7518. Register at tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme

DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC), Dededo

By appointment only for individuals with COVID-like symptoms. Four adults per vehicle. Bring a photo ID. Travel-related testing will not be offered. Call (671) 635-7525/6 to schedule an appointment.

FREE COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS (AGES 5 AND OVER)

FIRST DOSES, SECOND DOSES, AND BOOSTER SHOTS AVAILABLE

Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson

Feb. 22–26, 2022:

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

CLOSED: Thursday

University of Guam Field House, Mangilao: Register: tinyurl.com/vaxguam

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments will be expedited. Bring appointment confirmation and proof of identity. Last appointment is 30 minutes before closing.

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic operating at the UOG Field House will close on Saturday, February 26, 2022.

Feb. 22–26, 2022:

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC), Dededo

Call 671-635-4418/7400 to schedule an appointment. Last appointment is 30 minutes before closing. Walk-ins welcome. Curbside vaccination available for people with disabilities.

Feb. 22–25, 2022:

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

DPHSS Southern Region Community Health Center (SRCHC), Inalåhan

Call (671) 828-7604/5/7518 to schedule an appointment. Last appointment is 30 minutes before closing. Walk-ins welcome. Curbside vaccination available for people with disabilities.

Feb. 22, 2022:

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

P.C. Lujan Elementary School

After-school vaccination clinic open to the community. Walk-ins welcome. Minors must have birth certificate, parents must have government-issued photo ID.

Feb. 23, 2022:

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Agana Heights Elementary School

After-school vaccination clinic open to the community. Walk-ins welcome. Minors must have birth certificate, parents must have government-issued photo ID.

Feb. 24, 2022:

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Tamuning Elementary School*

After-school vaccination clinic open to the community. Walk-ins welcome. Minors must have birth certificate, parents must have government-issued photo ID.

*Serving students from both L.B.J Elementary and Tamuning Elementary

Feb. 26, 2022:

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Agat Gym, Hågat - Register at tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme

COVID-19 vaccination support clinic for families of children with disabilities and also open to the community. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments will be expedited. Bring appointment confirmation and proof of identity. Minors must have a birth certificate, parents must have a government-issued photo ID. Last appointment is 30 minutes before closing.

Mangilao mAb Treatment Center Reopens

The monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) Treatment Center located at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center in Mangilao has reopened for COVID-19 therapeutic services. The hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Saturday. Patients must receive a referral from a physician in order to qualify for treatment at the Mangilao mAb Treatment Center.

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update

As of February 20, 2022, a total of 134,499 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 13,204 residents 12 – 17 years old. 7,283 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 5,199 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 338 residents have received their booster shots and a total of 54,303 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

Click here to view UPDATED COVID TREATMENTS

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC RELEASE NO. 967 - 317th COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 274 New Cases, 44 Hospitalized; No Symptoms Needed to Test for COVID-19