JIC RELEASE NO. 33 - Eight Test Positive for COVID-19; GMH Nurses Test Negative for COVID-19;Governor Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration, Federal Aid

The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 38 individuals for COVID-19 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 with conclusive results. Eight (8) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 30 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. 

A total of 308 tests were performed from March 12, 2020 through March 26, 2020 with conclusive results. To date, a total of 45 cases tested positive by DPHSS and 263 cases tested negative for COVID-19 with one death. All 44 remaining cases tested by the DPHSS Guam Public Health Laboratory are in isolation. 

Additionally, Joint Region Marianas, working with the Government of Guam, coordinated the transport of four sailors, who tested positive for COVID-19, off of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) to Guam. The patients are being treated at U.S. Naval Hospital Guam and remain isolated at U.S. Naval Base Guam in accordance with CDC protocols.

• 45 positive cases confirmed by DPHSS
• 4 positive cases from the USS Theodore Roosevelt

The Government of Guam (GovGuam) is aggressively implementing its COVID-19 response to identify and contain transmission of COVID-19 in Guam. With any change in status, anticipate timely notification. 

Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases
Most of Guam COVID-19 known positive cases have epidemiological links to other confirmed cases. Profiles of the previous 37 confirmed cases, not including confirmed cases from today:

• Status: 
  • 25 in stable condition
  • 11 hospitalized 
  • 1 deceased 
  • Gender: 
  • 16 male
  • 21 female
• Residential Location:
  • 11 from the north
  • 16 from central
  • 8 from the south
  • 2 still under investigation for place of residence
• Travel History:
  • 1- Japan
  • 7 - Philippines
  • 2 - U.S. Mainland
• Age Groups:
  • 1 is in their 90s 
  • 2 are in their 80s 
  • 2 are in their 70s
  • 14 are in their 60s
  • 5 are in their 50s 
  • 6 are in their 40s
  • 4 are in their 30s
  • 3 are in their 20s 

GMH Nurses Test Negative for COVID-19
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) reports that three (3) of its nurses who were at high risk of exposure to a COVID-19-positive patient have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. The patient, who was initially treated in the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) Medical-Surgical Inpatient Adult Unit and placed in a private room with a closed door, later tested positive for COVID-19. The 3 nurses who were identified to have come into close contact with the COVID-19-positive patient were immediately placed under quarantine and tested for the virus with negative results.

Department of Revenue and Taxation Issues Notices of Violation
The Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT) has issued five (5) Notices of Violation (NOV) as part of its efforts to enforce compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order No. 2020-05. Types of businesses that were issued the NOVs include a vape shop, a sporting goods store, a video store, a sign shop, and a bar. Non-essential businesses remaining in operation from March 20, 2020 to March 30, 2020, and that refuse to comply with the provisions of EO 2020-05 “may be subject to the revocation of their business license or other penalties as available in law or rule.”

Governor Requests Federal Assistance for Guam
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero submitted a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Guam in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The request is based on the direct, detrimental economic impact of the COVID-19 events beginning February 2020 to present. 

President Trump has the authority to declare a major disaster for any natural event that he determines has caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond. A major disaster declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work.

Guam requested the following Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance programs:

• Individual Assistance - Assistance to individuals and households, which may include: Individuals and Households Program; Crisis Counseling Program; Disaster Case Management; Disaster Unemployment Assistance; Disaster Legal Services; Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• Public Assistance, Category B - Emergency Protective Measures
• Hazard Mitigation Assistance - Assistance for local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards. 

Requests for Federal Aid
Governor Leon Guerrero, in a phone call with the White House yesterday, requested additional assistance for Guam’s response to COVID-19. A request was made for 1,000 additional COVID-19 test kits and to have Soldiers and Airmen currently on State Active Duty be placed on 32 USC 502(f). Under Title 32, the National Guard will fund the activation of the Guard. Currently, GovGuam is responsible for paying all personnel and equipment costs incurred on State Active Duty; however, assurances were given that all costs are reimbursable under the FEMA Public Assistance program.

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