DPHSS Continues to Follow Protocols in Place; CDC Diagnostic Test Kits Requested

As of 1:30 p.m. on February 7, 2020, there remain no confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on Guam. With any change in status, anticipate timely notification.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) continues to follow established protocols for reporting infections of public health significance. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided criteria for determining whether or not a patient should be considered as a Patient Under Investigation (PUI) for 2019-nCoV. The link to this criteria follows: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html.

Our Guam medical providers have stepped-up to the challenge, and are reaching out to Guam DPHSS to discuss and evaluate suspicious cases. So far, no patients on Guam have met the PUI criteria for 2019-nCoV. DPHSS continues to collaborate with providers and facilities to provide updates and review procedures for evaluating patients.

Please note that this is a rapidly changing situation. DPHSS and CDC guidance will change as the situation dictates. DPHSS will continue to provide regular updates through the Government of Guam’s Joint Information Center. Also frequently check reliable sources for information, like cdc.gov to keep up-to-date.

Testing for New Coronavirus

At this time, all testing for 2019-nCoV is completed at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. CDC recently developed a new laboratory kit that tests patient specimens for 2019-nCoV. DPHSS has requested these test kits to establish testing here on Guam. Each test kit can test approximately 400 patient specimens. On Feb. 5, 2020, the CDC began shipping the 2019-nCoV diagnostic test kits to U.S. domestic laboratories and select international laboratories.

The community is reminded that official updates regarding the novel coronavirus will be issued directly from DPHSS or through the Joint Information Center only. The community can help reduce the spread of misinformation by only sharing official notices.

Providers are reminded of the importance in maintaining Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines when sharing any patient information.

Visit the following link for the most up-to-date information: https://www.cdc.gov.

For more information, contact DPHSS Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., at (671) 735- 7143.

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.