JIC RELEASE NO. 424 - DPHSS COVID-19 October 31 Community Outreach POSTPONED; DPHSS Public Hearing on October 31 & November 4;Four GPD Officers and One Arrestee Test Positive for COVID-19 - GHS OCD

For the safety of the staff, nurses, responders, and the community, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has postponed the COVID-19 Community Outreach, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Astumbo Gym in Dededo, due to Tropical Depression Atsani.

A revised date will be provided once available. Those who have pre-registered for tomorrow’s testing will be notified directly and will be able to keep their reserved spots once a new date has been determined.

DPHSS, in collaboration with the Government of Guam, the Mayors’ Council of Guam, the FSM Consulate Office, and the FSM Association of Guam, will continue to work to provide COVID-19 testing to the community.

Those experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, are advised to call their health care provider. If a patient does not have a regular health care provider, they can call the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) at (671) 635-7525/6 to schedule an appointment. The NRCHC COVID-19 testing is available by appointment only.

Those experiencing symptoms can also call the DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline phone numbers listed below to report symptoms and obtain guidance, or call 311 and dial option 1.

(671) 480-7859/83
(671) 480-6760/63
(671) 687-7321
(671) 685-0358
(671) 998-4442/60/74/80
(671) 687-6170 (ADA Dedicated Number)

The DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline is available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sundays. Missed calls or calls going to voicemail will be returned.

DPHSS Public Hearing on Oct. 31 & Nov. 4
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) will convene a public hearing on Saturday, October 31, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. via Zoom Conference. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on the DPHSS Draft Rules Governing the Enforcement of Public Health Guidances and Directives during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

To access the public hearing, click on the following link address: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84620784007 or use Zoom Meeting ID: 846 2078 4007. The Zoom Conference is limited to the first 100 participants.

The Public Hearing will also be streamed live on DPHSS’ Facebook Page.

A second public hearing will also be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. via Zoom Conference. Details will be announced in a separate public notice.

For more information, please contact DPHSS Division of General Administration at publichealth@dphss.guam.gov or (671) 638-4512.

Four GPD Officers and One Arrestee Test Positive for COVID-19
On Thursday, October 29, 2020, the Guam Police Department (GPD) was made aware of four (4) additional confirmed COVID-19 cases within GPD.

Two confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported from the Southern Precinct Command, with the two (2) officers having no direct contact to the general public. As a precautionary measure and to ensure the safety of GPD personnel assigned to the Southern Precinct Command, the Chief of Police, Stephen C. Ignacio had authorized a revised operation for the next 12-18 hours. All phone calls will be forwarded to GPD’S Tactical Communications Section, as officers will continue to be dispatched from the Southern Precinct Command utilizing the Office of Civil Defense’s Mobile Command Post. These revised operations will allow for the immediate decontamination of the precinct by the Guam Fire Department. GPD will continue to respond to calls with no disruptions of service.

Two (2) additional officers assigned to a specialized unit have also tested positive for COVID-19. These officers have had minimal to no contact to the general public.

GPD was also made aware that an arrestee processed by GPD personnel had tested positive for COVID-19. The officers that were involved with the investigation are currently in home isolation.

GPD is working closely with the DPHSS with immediate contact tracing. All GPD personnel that have been identified as close contacts remain in quarantine pending test results.

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline that is available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or are needing to talk to someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

DRAFT COVID-19 Public Health Enforcement Rules

Postponed Flyer

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov /covid-19/ 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.

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. 424 - DPHSS COVID-19 October 31 Community Outreach POSTPONED; DPHSS Public Hearing on October 31 & November 4;Four GPD Officers and One Arrestee Test Positive for COVID-19