JIC RELEASE NO. 135 - Guam Remains in PCOR 2; Expanded Testing Continues; Emergency Food Assistance Program; Grab-N-Go School Meals Update

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. To date, there have been 165 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths and 125 released from isolation. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice. For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/. 

On May 20, 2020, eleven (11) cases were confirmed positive for COVID-19. Guam remains in Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 2 at this time. Although Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has received draft guidance for dine-in restaurants, out of an abundance of caution the opening of restaurants for dine-in has been delayed. Restaurants can still operate for take-out only. 

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) is working rapidly to identify close contacts of the recent cases. Close contacts may include family members and co-workers who will be quarantined and actively monitored by Public Health for 14 days after their last contact with the case. DPHSS will release additional information as it becomes available. The community is reminded to continue to practice good hygiene and prevention measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

All 11 cases are asymptomatic and are in home isolation in their village of Yigo. Of the 11 cases, 10 are confirmed contacts of two previous known cases. These cases are not of the same family, but they come from the same residential cluster in the north. The eleventh individual is unrelated to the residential cluster but did have close contact with a prior confirmed case. The gender of the recent cases include six females and five males. 

Age Breakdown:
10-19 = 2
20-29 = 4
30-39 = 1
40-49 = 2
50-59 = 2

*Some cases that were previously released from isolation have tested positive through follow-up testing

**Some cases traveled to more than one country

Expanded Testing Continues
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) in collaboration with the Government of Guam (GovGuam), private, and federal agencies continue expanded testing this week. Please show an I.D. The expanded testing schedule follows:

• Friday, May 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the GHURA Public Housing, Talofofo
  • Free and open to GHURA elderly and public housing residents of Talofofo
  • DPHSS will prioritize testing for:
    • Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms
    • Multi-generational families in a household (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, adult children, their children) with COVID-19 symptoms
• Sunday, May 24, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Hamburger Rd., Harmon, behind Ely Automotive Repair and Across Core Tech Apartments
  • Free and open to high risk individuals in congregate settings

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please call your health care provider. If a patient does not have a regular health care provider, they can call any of the Community Health Centers or the DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline Phone Numbers listed below to report symptoms and obtain guidance from clinicians, or call 311.

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

The Emergency Food Assistance Program - Disaster Household Distribution 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Service (FNS) has granted the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) an extension to distribute food commodities through Disaster Household Distribution (DHD). As the State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), GDOE is now issuing DHD commodities from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (except holidays) while supplies last. A total of 5,000 bags of food commodities will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. TEFAP DHD operations will continue until all food commodities have been distributed.

Eligible recipients will receive a bag of TEFAP-DHD food commodities and a ten-pound box of fresh fruits or vegetables. Food commodities include fresh apples and oranges, juices, beans, rice, canned fruits, sauces, tuna, salmon, pork, beef, and chicken. Households are eligible if they have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each household will receive one bag of food commodities. Heads of household must be present during pick up.

Food commodities will be issued at the GDOE Food Distribution Warehouse located at 162 N. Marine Corps Dr., Piti. GDOE will utilize a food-to-trunk drive-through distribution. Recipients MUST enter through the south gate and exit through the north gate, remain in their vehicles, wear a mask, and follow safety instructions when receiving food commodities. All drivers are asked to drive slowly and cautiously due to heavy traffic. Recipients should ensure their trunks are unlocked so the food commodities may be loaded without the need for the recipient to exit the vehicle. Walk-ins will not be accepted. The GDOE asks that individuals be patient during the first few days of distribution as GDOE will be working to issue commodities as effectively and efficiently as possible.

TEFAP DHD distribution will not take place on Monday, May 25, 2020 due to the Memorial Day holiday. For more information, please contact 300-1258 or cnp-state@gdoe.net.  

Grab-N-Go School Meals Available Through July 31, 2020
GDOE, through approval from USDA, is extending the Grab-N-Go School Meal Program through July 31, 2020. The Grab-N-Go School Meal Program provides no-cost breakfast and lunch meals to children ages 18 and under from public, private, and DODEA schools. Families are provided one meal per child. Vehicles are permitted a maximum of 10 meals, and walkers are permitted a maximum of 5 meals. Walkers may begin picking up meals at 11:30 a.m. The school meal distribution takes place Monday through Friday (except holidays), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following 12 school sites: 

North

• Astumbo Elementary School
• F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School
• Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School
• Wettengel Elementary School

Central

• Agana Heights Elementary School
• B.P. Carbullido Elementary School
• George Washington High School
• John F. Kennedy High School
• Jose Rios Middle School

South

• Inarajan Elementary School
• M.U. Lujan Elementary School
• Southern High School 

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, Grab-N-Go School Meal distribution will not take place on Monday, May 25, 2020. 

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