JIC RELEASE NO. 1154- Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 130 New Cases Reported November 29 – December 5; Five Hospitalized; Governor Signs Executive Order No. 2022-26; DPHSS Closes COVID-19 Treatment Center at the Paseo Stadium; Additional COVID-19 Update

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 130 New Cases Reported November 29 – December 5

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 130 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,369 specimens analyzed from tests administered November 28 – December 4, 2022:

• December 5: 3 of 131 test positive for COVID-19

• December 4: 19 of 94 test positive for COVID-19

• December 3: 14 of 137 test positive for COVID-19

• December 2: 27 of 319 test positive for COVID-19

• December 1: 18 of 206 test positive for COVID-19

• November 30: 24 of 226 test positive for COVID-19

• November 29: 25 of 256 test positive for COVID-19

To date, there have been a total of 59,460 officially reported cases, 409 deaths, 87 cases in active isolation, and 58,964 not in active isolation.

Five Hospitalized for COVID-19

Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2022-26

On December 5, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2022-26, relative to extending the public health emergency. Effective December 6, 2022, the public health emergency declaration is scheduled to expire on January 6, 2023.

DPHSS Closes COVID-19 Treatment Center at the Paseo Stadium
Effective Monday, December 5, 2022, DPHSS is closing the COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Center at the Paseo Stadium in Hagåtña. Bebtelovimab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), had been offered for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients. It will no longer be offered in Guam as a treatment for COVID-19 due to the high proportion of resistant variants. There are currently no authorized monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 at this time. Paxlovid and Molnupiravir remain effective treatments against currently circulating variants and emerging variants.

To receive the oral treatments, you must have a current laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection and a referral from a prescribing physician. For more information, call 311 and select option 1 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 671-998-4527 or 671-998-4547.

COVID-19 Testing Available at The Plaza Shopping Center

Residents may seek free COVID-19 testing at The Plaza Shopping Center in the Dusit Beach Resort from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m,  Monday through Saturday, except on observed Government of Guam holidays. Those who need ADA accommodations for curbside testing in their vehicles may call 671-998-4530. No symptoms are needed for COVID-19 testing at The Plaza Shopping Center. Additional COVID Testing sites are listed below: 

Bivalent Boosters Available for Everyone 5 or Older at DPHSS Vaccination Clinics
With so many people traveling and celebrating together around the holidays, we continue to encourage everyone 5 or older to get their updated COVID vaccine to help protect against Omicron.

A single booster dose of bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (for individuals age 5 years and older) or bivalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (for individuals age 6 years and older) may be given at least 2 months after completion of a monovalent primary series or any prior monovalent booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, there is no change to the monovalent vaccine schedules for children age 6 months through 4 years. Monovalent mRNA vaccines are no longer authorized as a booster dose for people ages 5 years and older. People must first complete at least a primary series with the original monovalent vaccine before receiving a single bivalent booster at least 2 months later.

• People may receive either brand of bivalent vaccine that is age-appropriate; there is no preference and no need to match the brand of the primary series.

• This recommendation is for a one-time booster. ACIP does not anticipate recommendations for frequent (e.g., every few months) booster doses of bivalent vaccine.  

• COVID-19 vaccines may be co-administered with all other routinely recommended vaccines, including influenza vaccine.

The updated Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna bivalent boosters are available at the DPHSS vaccination clinics at The Plaza Shopping Center, NRCHC, SRCHC, and our extended outreach vaccination events.
 

Novavax COVID-19 Primary Dose and Monovalent Booster Available Only at Northern and Southern Region Community Health Centers
On October 19, 2022, the CDC signed a decision memo allowing Novavax monovalent COVID-19 boosters for adults ages 18 years and older the option to receive a Novavax monovalent booster instead of an updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster if they have completed primary series vaccination but have not previously received a COVID-19 booster—and if they cannot or will not receive mRNA vaccines. Some may be unable to receive an mRNA vaccine as a result of an allergy to a component of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or as a result of a history of a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or a lack of availability of an mRNA vaccine. People ages 18 and older may also choose to receive a Novavax monovalent booster if they are unwilling to receive mRNA vaccines, and would otherwise not receive a booster dose. The Novavax primary dose and booster are only available at the DPHSS Community Health Centers in Dededo and Inalåhan.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 6 Months and Older Available at DPHSS CHCs

The Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines are authorized for use in children from six months of age and older. In most children, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months through five years will be a two-dose primary series with four to eight weeks between dose one and dose two. In most children, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months through four years will be a three-dose primary series three to eight weeks between dose one and dose two, and at least eight weeks between dose two and dose three. Requirements for minors to receive the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at DPHSS vaccination clinics and outreach events:

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

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

• 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 December 2, 2022

As of December 2, 2022, 140,679 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,296 residents 12 – 17 years old. 9,271 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,632 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 313 residents 6 months – 5 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 82,895 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 13,842 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.

Click here to view EO 2022-26 RELATIVE TO EXTENDING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY