JIC RELEASE NO. 1155 - Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 114 New Cases Reported December 6–12; Five Hospitalized; One COVID-19-related Fatality Reported; Additional COVID-19 Updates

Cumulative COVID-19 Test Results: 114 New Cases Reported December 6 – 12

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 114 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,334 specimens analyzed from tests administered December 5 – 11, 2022:

• December 12: 2 of 142 test positive for COVID-19

• December 11: 12 of 78 test positive for COVID-19

• December 10: 24 of 140 test positive for COVID-19

• December 9: 13 of 205 test positive for COVID-19

• December 8: 19 of 463 test positive for COVID-19

• December 7: 20 of 81 test positive for COVID-19

• December 6: 24 of 225 test positive for COVID-19

To date, there have been a total of 59,574 officially reported cases, 410 deaths, 65 cases in active isolation, and 59,099 not in active isolation.

Five Hospitalized for COVID-19

COVID-19-related Fatalities Adjusted, One COVID-19-related Fatality Reported

The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 410th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Regional Medical City on August 5, 2022. The patient was an 81-year-old female, fully vaccinated without a booster, with underlying health conditions who tested positive on August 4. 

“We are saddened to report more loss to this virus, especially during the holiday season,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Jeff, Josh, and I continue to pray for the families who have lost so much already, and we urge the community to continue our safe practices to combat this virus.”

DPHSS Closes COVID-19 Treatment Center at the Paseo Stadium
Effective Monday, December 5, 2022, DPHSS closed 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.
 

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 9, 2022

As of December 9, 2022, 140,737 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,314 residents 12 – 17 years old. 9,287 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,658 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 321 residents 6 months – 5 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 82,906 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 13,946 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.