JIC RELEASE NO. 534 - Results: 13 of 449 Test Positive for COVID-19;Second Dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) Available at Guam Regional Medical City on Friday; Rapid Engagement Team Resumes Community Outreach in Santa Ana, Dededo; DRT Closed to Public Due to Additio

Results: 13 New Cases of COVID-19

Thirteen (13) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 449 tests performed on Wednesday, January 13. Two (2) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. 

To date, there have been a total of 7,457 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 124 deaths, 115 cases in active isolation and 7,218 not in active isolation.

1The COVID Area Risk (CAR) Score accounts for the incidence of new cases, how well current testing identifies these cases, and the rate of spread. The ideal long-term goal is to sustain a CAR Score of 2.5 or less, which has been shown to correlate with very low to zero COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. 

The following tables provide COVID-19 test results reported to the Joint Information Center on Thursday, January 14 and reflects results from Wednesday, January 13:

The following provides COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the Joint Information Center on Thursday, January 14, 2021 for vaccinations administered from December 17 to January 13:

*Administering second doses of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 4, 2021.

**Administering first doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 8, 2021.

Second Dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) Available at Guam Regional Medical City on Friday 

The Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) will be offering vaccinations to those still needing their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 100 people who have already received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine between December 17 to 22, 2020. Those who are due for their second dose are reminded to bring their immunization card to the vaccination clinic so it may be properly documented. For more information, please call GRMC at 645-5500.

Pre-screening Eligibility Vaccinations

In order to take the COVID-19 vaccine, you must meet the following pre-screening eligibility criteria*:

• Must not be currently infected with COVID-19, or previously exposed within the last 14 days

• Must not have received any other vaccine, such as the flu shot, in the last 14 days

A pre-screening eligibility handout is attached.

*Please note: If this is your first time receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please make sure you have never taken other COVID-19 vaccine products.

V-Safe Vaccine Symptom Monitoring 

Individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to register for the tool called v-safe, offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you. V-safe will remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one. Sign up for v-safe with your smartphone’s browser at https://vsafe.cdc.gov.

Rapid Engagement Team Resumes Community Outreach in Santa Ana, Dededo 

The Department of Public Health and Social Services’ (DPHSS) Rapid Engagement Team (RET), in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Dededo Mayor’s Office, FSM Consulate Office, State Surgeon Cell, Guam National Guard, Department of Public Works, Guam Fire Department, Guam Police Department, FSM Association of Guam, and other government and non-profit agencies, will resume COVID-19 community testing and outreach in the Santa Ana subdivision in Dededo on Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. No COVID-19 vaccinations will be administered at this outreach. 

DPHSS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Felix Cabrera, RET nurses, and support staff will visit residents and offer COVID-19 testing. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Results of the antigen testing will be available on-site. The outreach effort will include wraparound services and health assessments. Residents will also be provided educational materials on the COVID-19 vaccine. 

DRT Closed to Public Due to Additional COVID-19 Case

Due to an additional confirmed case of COVID-19, the Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT) will be closed to the public until further notice. DRT is working with DPHSS to identify all close contacts. Mass testing for DRT employees is scheduled for this Saturday, January 16, 2021. DRT is contacting those with appointments to reschedule.

Two GDOE Employees Tests Positive for COVID-19

On Thursday, January 14, 2021, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed that two GDOE employees tested positive for COVID-19. One case was identified at D.L. Perez Elementary School and the other was identified at Finegayan Elementary School. The GDOE is working closely with DPHSS to conduct contact tracing and any close contacts of the confirmed cases will be contacted directly. Areas of the offices will be cleaned and disinfected as needed.

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.

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.