JIC RELEASE NO. 1114 - COVID-19 Test Results: 127 New Cases, 22 Hospitalized; Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported; Additional COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Test Results: 127 New Cases Reported

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported 127 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,960 specimens collected August 16, 2022. Eight (8) of the cases reported today are through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 57,040 officially reported cases, 390 deaths, 707 cases in active isolation, and 55,943 not in active isolation.

22 Hospitalized for COVID-19

SPECIAL NOTE: Based on today's data, if we were to compare two (2) hypothetical populations of 100,000 people each, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there would be 11 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 39 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 4 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated. *Estimated population is based on DPHSS Immunization Program analysis of 2020 Census data. Updates are expected pending further Census 2020 data breakdown.

Three COVID-19-related Fatalities Reported

The Joint Information Center was notified of three (3) COVID-19-related fatalities:

• The 388th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on July 26, 2022. The patient was an 82-year-old male, fully vaccinated without a booster, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on July 8.  

• The 389th COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam on August 8, 2022. The patient was a 74-year-old female, fully vaccinated without a booster, with underlying health conditions, who tested positive on July 28 and again on August 2. 

• The 390th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival at GMH on August 16, 2022. The patient was a 96-year-old male, fully vaccinated with one booster, who tested positive on August 16. 

“Jeff, Josh, and I send our deepest condolences to their families and friends,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “The loss to our community has been large and reports like these are always heartbreaking. We must be there for one another as we navigate our path toward overcoming COVID-19. While we work toward recovery, we remember there are still families that are heavily impacted and we must continue to do our part to keep our most vulnerable safe and healthy.” 

SNAP Emergency Allotment (EA) to be Released this Friday, August 19
DPHSS announces that the SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment for August 2022 will be released on August 19, 2022. The supplemental benefits will be electronically loaded into the SNAP recipients’ EBT cards. For questions or additional information, please contact the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) at these numbers:

•  BES North (Dededo) at 671-635-7488/635-7484/635-7439/635-7396/635-7429

•  BES Central (RAN-Care in Tamuning) at 671- 300-8853/300-8854/300-8850/300-8865

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Available at Northern Region Community Health Center
On August 9, DPHSS received 100 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Novavax vaccine on July 13. According to the CDC, the Novavax vaccine is a two-dose adjuvanted vaccine that is administered intramuscularly in deltoid muscle in adults 18 years of age or older.   The Novavax vaccine is a two-dose primary series with three to eight weeks between dose one and dose two. Currently, the Novavax vaccine is not authorized for any booster dose. In addition, individuals who complete their primary series with two doses of Novavax vaccine are not eligible for a booster dose at this time. The Novavax vaccine will be available at the DPHSS Northern Region Community Health Center in Dededo.

10 Cases with Variants of Concern Identified

On August 11, DPHSS received 10 new results from virus samples collected on Guam on July 13 – 16, 2022, which have undergone genome sequencing by the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Lab Division. Of the 10 samples sent, 10 were identified as the Omicron Variant of Concern (VOC). The breakdown is as follows:

• 10 Omicron (VOC)

  • 8 Omicron BA.5:

    • 1 BA.5.1

    • 1 BA.5.1.1 

    • 3 BA.5.2.1

    • 3 BA.5.5

  • 2 Omicron BA.2

    • 1 BA.2

    • 1 BA.2.12.1

To date, 874 SARS-CoV-2 virus samples have been submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Hawaii DOH State Lab Division for genome sequencing and identified a total of 712 samples that detected variants of concern. Of the 826 samples, 761 samples have been sequenced, 65 were determined inconclusive, and 48 are pending results. 

DPHSS mAb Treatment Center Open at Paseo Stadium

Bebtelovimab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms) is available at the DPHSS mAb treatment center at the Paseo Stadium in Hagåtña from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closes for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 

To schedule treatment at the DPHSS mAb treatment center, patients must call 671-998-4527 or 671-998-4547, have a current, laboratory confirmed COVID–19 infection and a referral from a prescribing physician. For more information about Bebtelovimab and other mAb treatment options on Guam, visit dphss.guam.gov/mab or dial 311 from a local number 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. 

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

Incentives Offered for COVID-19 Vaccination Series Completion and Boosters

A program administered by the government of Guam is providing incentives to individuals 12 years of age and older who maintain their COVID-19 vaccinations who are completing their last dose in primary series; OR receiving 1st Booster Dose OR 2nd Booster Dose. Eligible residents will be offered an incentive (alcohol and tobacco items excluded) while supplies last. Gift certificates will only be offered at vaccination clinics at NRCHC, SRCHC, the Agana Shopping Center, and senior citizen outreach clinics, while supplies last. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update

As of August 16, 2022, 139,777 eligible residents (6 months and older) are fully vaccinated. This total includes 14,009 residents 12 – 17 years old. 8,973 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of a two dose series. 7,327 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. 183 residents 6 months – 4 years old have received their first dose of a two dose series. 68,251 eligible residents have received their first booster shots. 11,839 eligible residents have received their second booster shots.