JIC RELEASE NO. 95 - One Tests Positive by USNH; DPHSS COVID-19 Expands this Week; Road Closures End After Today

One additional COVID-19 case has been reported by the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam and will be included in this evening’s overall count.

As of April 27, 2020, 142 cases have been confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided, with 5 deaths and 128 released from isolation. When a patient is released from isolation, he 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/.

DPHSS COVID-19 Testing Expands this Week
DPHSS, in collaboration with the Government of Guam and federal and private partners, is expanding the COVID-19 testing drive-through/walk-in. The expanded testing by DPHSS is available at no cost to participants. Residents are asked to bring their ID.

• Tuesday, April 28, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Astumbo Gym in Dededo. 
  • Testing is limited to residents of Dededo and Yigo. 
• Wednesday, April 29, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Astumbo Gym in Dededo.
  • Testing is open to any resident islandwide.
• Thursday, April 30, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mangilao Senior Center, next to Santa Teresita Catholic Church in Mangilao.  
  • Testing is open to central residents of Agana Heights, Asan, Maina, Barrigada, Chalan Pago, Ordot, Hagatna, Mangilao, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Sinajana, Tamuning, and Tumon.
• Friday, May 1, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Agat Senior Center, near Mount Carmel Church.
  • Testing is open to southern residents of Agat, Inarajan, Merizo, Piti, Santa Rita, Talofofo, Umatac, and Yona. 

Residents must meet the following criteria:

Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms

Multi-generational families in a household (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, adult children, their children) with COVID-19 symptoms

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, you can also call your health care provider and get tested. If a patient does not have a regular health care provider, they can call any of the Public Health Centers or the DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline Phone Numbers listed below to report symptoms and obtain guidance from clinicians:

• (671) 480-7859
• (671) 480-6760/3
• (671) 480-7883
• (671) 687-6170 (ADA Dedicated Number)

Road Closures End this Week

In today’s news conference, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero announced the Road Closure Traffic Flow Plan will no longer be in effect tomorrow, April 28, 2020, based on the recent stable number of cases. The community is reminded that although the road closures will no longer be in effect after today, continue to practice protective measures by traveling for essential business or activities only.

Visit Medicare.gov for COVID-19 Information on Coverage
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has set up a webpage via Medicare.gov with information for Medicare beneficiaries related to the Coronavirus at https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus

Medicare Covers Related Needs
: Medicare covers the lab tests for COVID-19 with no out-of-pocket costs. Medicare covers all medically necessary hospitalizations, including if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital after an inpatient stay but instead you need to stay in the hospital under quarantine. You pay your usual Medicare coinsurance and deductible for these services.

At this time, there's no vaccine for COVID-19. However, if one becomes available, it will be covered by all Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).

Although Medicare will pay laboratory technicians to travel to a beneficiary’s home to collect a specimen for COVID-19 testing, eliminating the need for the beneficiary to travel to a healthcare facility for a test and risk exposure to themselves or others, this service is not offered on island at this time.

Telehealth & Related Services

: Medicare pays for “virtual check-ins”—brief, virtual services with your physician or certain practitioners where the communication isn't related to a medical visit within the previous 7 days and doesn’t lead to a medical visit within the next 24 hours (or soonest appointment available).

You need to consent verbally to using virtual check-ins and your doctor must document that consent in your medical record before you use this service. You pay your usual Medicare coinsurance and deductible for these services.

Medicare also pays for you to communicate with your doctors using online patient portals. Like the virtual check-ins, you must initiate these individual communications with your primary medical provider.

Beware of Scammers
: Scammers may use the coronavirus national emergency to take advantage of people. As always, guard your Medicare card like a credit card, check Medicare claims summary forms for errors, and if someone calls asking for your Medicare Number, hang up!

For more information, contact the DPHSS Division of Senior Citizens, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at (671) 735-7421/7415 or send an email to chad.palomo@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.