JIC RELEASE NO. 93 - Beware of Scams Related to COVID-19 Economic Payments; Avoid Sharing Unofficial Information - GHS OCD

As of April 25, 2020, 141 cases have been confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided, with 5 deaths and 128 released from isolation. When a patient is released from isolation, her or she is no longer considered infectious. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research and published guidelines, a patient is released from isolation after at least 72 hours have passed without a fever or additional respiratory issues and at least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared. All remaining cases are in isolation.

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided this evening once all tests from today are finalized.

For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, including residential villages of confirmed cases, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.

Avoid Fake Social Media Accounts and Scams Related to COVID-19 Economic Payments
The Joint Information Center is aware of a fake Instagram account under the name “leogu.errero” and a photograph of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero on its profile. The fake Instagram account reportedly offers to other Instagram users, a cash grant of $50,000 in a potential COVID-19 related fraudulent scam. The Instagram account is not connected to any official account from the Office of the Governor or any official announcement regarding COVID-19 economic payments. Governor Leon Guerrero’s official Instagram account can be found at @govlouguam.

A separate fake Instagram account was reported under the name “leevin_taitano,” using a photo of Attorney General Leevin Camacho. The fake Instagram account reportedly offers a new tax free benefit program claiming to be sponsored by the World Health Organization. The Instagram account is not connected to any official account from the Office of the Attorney General of Guam or any official announcement regarding COVID-19 economic payments. The Office of the Attorney General’s official Instagram account can be found at @oagguam.

The community is reminded to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the economic impact payments as cover schemes to steal personal information and/or money. Remember, the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) will not call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds.

Avoid Sharing Unofficial Information
Another unverified message circulating purports that stimulus checks will be released on specific dates for specific income brackets. While there is open source information relating to the message, these dates are not applicable to Guam. The JIC will continue to share official updates regarding stimulus checks as they become available.

The community is reminded to only share verified, official information with others to avoid the spread of misinformation.

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. 93 - Beware of Scams Related to COVID-19 Economic Payments; Avoid Sharing Unofficial Information