JIC RELEASE NO. 273 - COVID-19 Case Identified at Inarajan Elementary School;One Confirmed Case Identified at Port Authority of Guam;GMHA Modifies Visitation Schedule

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The Joint Information Center will report cumulative COVID-19 test results once a day, unless unavailable. 

To date, there have been a total of 577 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 5 deaths, 353 released from isolation, and 219 active cases. Of those cases, 503 are classified as civilians and 74 are military service members.  

For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard and Situation Report at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.

COVID-19 Case Identified at Inarajan Elementary School
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is working closely with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) to conduct contact tracing after a confirmed COVID-19 case was identified at Inarajan Elementary School. 

On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, the GDOE was notified that an employee at Inarajan Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. The contact tracing effort is ongoing and close contacts of the confirmed case will be contacted directly by DPHSS. A close contact is an individual who has come in face-to-face contact with a confirmed COVID-19 individual for at least 10 minutes or more and within six feet, or who has had direct contact with infectious secretions of the confirmed COVID-19 individual (e.g. being coughed on). Both the confirmed case and close contacts will not be permitted to return to campus until cleared by DPHSS. 

Areas of the Inarajan Elementary campus have been identified for cleaning and disinfecting and will be off limits to personnel until those processes are complete.

All GDOE employees are reminded to adhere to health and safety protocols while on campus. Not only are schools cleaned and sanitized daily, but other safety precautions are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, to include the following: required face coverings for all students and staff; temperature screening upon arrival; 6 feet physical distancing; regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and common areas; and encouraging employees to wash hands and sanitize often.

One Confirmed Case Identified at Port Authority of Guam
On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, the Port Authority of Guam (PAG) was notified that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The individual who tested positive had limited exposure at the Port as the employee began to isolate at home at the onset of symptoms.

PAG is in coordination with DPHSS for contact tracing efforts of close contacts of the confirmed case. PAG took immediate action and sanitized the division where the employee worked and notified all port employees of the ongoing situation. A copy of the Port’s E-Advisory is attached and also uploaded to the Port website at https://www.portofguam.com/covid-19-guidelines-and-information

GMHA Modifies Visitation Schedule – Supersedes Policy Circular No. 2020-134
Due to the rise of COVID-19 cases and increase in the hospital's census, the following are effective August 19, 2020:

Visiting - SUSPENDED
Visitation privileges are suspended until further notice, except for certain situations which include:

• At the end of life, for religious services only. See guidelines below.

• Children/Minors, patients with disabilities, high risk patients, one (1) authorized visitor/caregiver for children/minor patients; patients with disabilities; or patients who are high risk for falls, suffer from dementia or other serious ailments; or patients who otherwise require a guardian is authorized. Overnight stays will only be permitted if the hospital can accommodate it.

General Visiting Guidelines 
Authorized Visitors must/are:

• be 18 years old and above, unless they are a parent of the patient.

• wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of the visit.

• subject to temperature checks and other screening measures in effect.

• proceed directly to the patient's room, and limit unnecessary movement within the facility. There will be no congregating in the patient rooms and waiting/lobby areas.

• practice proper hand hygiene and social distancing at all times.

Visitors/caregivers for Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) and COVID-19 patients must consent to an Acknowledgement of Responsibilities & Waiver of liability regarding COVID-19 for Non-GMHA Employees/Staff.

Religious Services

• End-of-life, in-person religious services is permitted and shall be initiated by the patient or family; approved by the attending physician, in communication with the unit charge nurse and house supervisor; and arrange the date and time for service with the clergy designated by their religious group,

• The patient or family will communicate the date and time of service with the unit charge nurse who will then notify the house supervisor and security.

• Clergy members who are designated by their religious groups will only be authorized entry after undergoing training by the GMHA.

• All others may be arranged virtually with the unit where the patient is located.

• All religious services are subject to a reasonable time if it can be provided without disruption to care.

Visitors for PUIs and COVID-19 patients must consent to an Acknowledgement of Responsibilities & Waiver of Liability regarding COVID-19 for Non-GMHA Employees/Staff.

Outpatient Services

• Effective Saturday, August 22, 2020, outpatient services are suspended until further notice.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671)478-0208/09/10.