JIC RELEASE NO. 70 - Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases; JIC WhatsApp Inoperable; DPHSS Updates - GHS OCD

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 33 individuals for COVID-19 on Saturday, April 11, 2020 with conclusive results. Two tested positive through DPHSS and 31 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, with one additional case that was confirmed through Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS).

Because test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day, the cumulative total from all labs, known at the time of release, will be reported on a nightly basis. Updated results will be provided this evening, once all tests from today are completed.

Preliminary Profiles of Confirmed Cases
Profiles of the 133 COVID-19 cases include two clinically diagnosed cases, reports of 11 confirmed positive cases received from the U.S. Naval Hospital that were tested by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, and four confirmed positive cases through DLS.

To date, there are a total of 133 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 58 recoveries and 5 deaths. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice.

MEDICAL STATUS

GENDER

RESIDENTIAL LOCATION

TRAVEL HISTORY*

AGE GROUP

Stable: 58

Hospitalized: 12

Recovered: 58

Deaths: 05

Female: 71

Male: 62

North: 67

Central: 42

South: 19

Homeless: 02

Pending: 03

Dubai: 02

Japan: 01

Philippines: 12

Singapore: 01

U.S.: 05

*Some cases traveled to more than one country

90+: 01

80-89: 04

70-79: 11

60-69: 34

50-59: 25

40-49: 24

30-39: 13

20-29: 13

10-19: 07

0-9: 01

Joint Information Center WhatsApp Inoperable
On April 11, the Joint Information Center (JIC) released information that it had added an information service for the public through mobile app WhatsApp in an effort to provide simple, actionable guidance to the community. The automated service was meant to offer general tips and resources for users through their mobile phone.

As of April 12, 2020, the service became inoperable and is no longer available to the public. The JIC is conducting a proof of concept and is working to have the account verified through WhatsApp Business to improve and sustain this feature. More information will be provided once available.

DPHSS Updates
The Division of Public Welfare Bureau of Management Support (BMS) and Bureau of Economic Security (BES) located at Castle Mall in Mangilao, Northern and Southern Public Health Offices within the Department of Public Health and Social Services will continue their program operations. Offices, however, are closed to the public during this State of Public Health Emergency. The Bureau continues to implement the following to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Documents may be submitted via:

Drob Box available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is checked hourly by staff
- Drop Box Locations:
  - Castle Mall in Mangilao (in front of Office #15)
  - Northern and Southern Public Health Facilities (at front entrances)
New Email Address: PublicAssistance@dphss.guam.gov

Please ensure a good contact number and/or email address is provided on all documents.

For more information, contact the BMS at (671) 735-7344 or (671) 735-7256 or (671) 735-7375 or (671) 735-7519.

Work Programs Section (WPS):

Recipients participating in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program (JOBS) or Guam Employment Training Program (GETP) are excused from participation until such time the Governor’s Social Isolation Mandate is lifted.
Participant Reimbursement Requests (PRR) for Transportation and/or Work-Related Expenses for February 2020 (which was initially due no later than March 31, 2020) will still be accepted once the social isolation mandate is lifted.
Documents are still being accepted through the drop box or by email as indicated above.
Appointments scheduled from March 16 to April 13, 2020 will be rescheduled. Your assigned social worker or case manager will contact you at a later date.

Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Section

All child care facilities are closed as per Executive Order No. 2020-05.
Documents and applications are still being accepted through the drop box or by email.
Child care payments certifications (calendars and certificates) are accepted through the drop box or by email.
Interviews are being conducted via phone for applicants applying for child care services.

Quality Control (QC)
Households that have been selected for QC review will be contacted via phone in lieu of a face-to-face interview

Investigations and Recovery Office
Individuals who are needing assistance or information on their account, may contact our office once we are back to normal operations or call (671) 735-7344 or by email to publicassistance@dphss.guam.gov

For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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. 70 - Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases; JIC WhatsApp Inoperable; DPHSS Updates