JIC Release No. 29 - Help Stop the Spread of Misinformation; DPHSS Updates on Home-Delivered Meals; GDOE Grab-N-Go School Meals - GHS OCD

Stop the Spread Misinformation
Officials are aware of a video circulating with an individual claiming to be a COVID-19 carrier and then retracting their statement in a separate voice message. While the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) is unable to confirm or deny whether any specific individual has been tested, or what their test results are, due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, individuals are asked not to share false information.

In the event a person tests positive, the DPHSS contact tracing team will interview the patient and identify all those the patient may have come into contact with during the incubation period. Any person who thinks they may have COVID-19 should self-isolate and consult with a health care professional over the phone.

Officials take these matters very seriously and continue to look into each incident, including this one, that references COVID-19. The community is reminded to only share official, verified notices to help stop the spread of misinformation.

As of March 23, 2020, there were 29 positive cases of COVID-19 on Guam with one (1) COVID-19 related death. There will be additional results later this evening once today’s test results are finalized.

DPHSS Home-Delivered Meals Resume Normal Operations
Effective, today, the provision of Home-Delivered meals will resume normal operations. All meals will be delivered to the homes of those authorized by Case Management Services to receive home-delivered meals. DPHSS thanks its partners for their assistance in delivering balanced meals to our elderly who are homebound. For additional information, contact S.H. Enterprises, Inc.at (671) 649-9716 or (671) 649-9727 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

GDOE Grab-N-Go School Meals Launched Monday; Walkers Accepted
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) launched a “Grab-N-Go” school meals distribution on Monday, serving 8,000 meals. The program offers meals at no cost to all children ages 18 years and below, including children from both public and private schools. The program utilizes a drive-thru operation, on a first come first served basis, and walkers are also accepted. The school meal distribution will remain operational through the remainder of the government-wide school closure due to COVID-19. The program is available on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., except on holidays and during spring break (April 6-10, 2020). The program is available at the following 11 locations:

North:

• Astumbo Elementary School

• F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle 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

Stay Up to Date with Reputable Sources
It is important to note that the situation can change quickly. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:

CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
DPHSS website: http://dphss.guam.gov/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-n-cov/
GHS/OCD website: https://ghs.guam.gov/coronavirus-covid-19

For media inquiries, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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.

JIC Release No. 29 - Help Stop the Spread of Misinformation; DPHSS Updates on Home-Delivered Meals; GDOE Grab-N-Go School Meals