JIC RELEASE NO. 756 - COVID-19 Hospital Census: 16; COVID-19 Test Results & Vaccination Update; Seven GDOE Students, One Employee Test Positive for COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule; Parents/Guardians Encouraged to Pick Up SNAP P-EBT Car

16 Hospitalized for COVID-19 – 14 Unvaccinated
The Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH), Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) and the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) report the following COVID-19 hospital census, as of 6 p.m.:

COVID-19 Test Results
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reports eighty-two (82) new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,056 tests performed on August 18. Thirty-one (31) cases were identified through contact tracing. Two (2) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. To date, there have been a total of 9,200 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 144 deaths, 412 cases in active isolation, and 8,577 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 10.4.

Seven GDOE Students, One Employee Test Positive for COVID-19
Today, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed even separate cases of COVID-19 involving students at B.P. Carbullido Elementary School, Liguan Elementary School, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, Luis P. Untalan Middle School, a second case at Adacao Elementary School, John F. Kennedy High School and an employee assigned to Luis P. Untalan Middle School. In collaboration with the DPHSS, GDOE has identified and notified teachers as well as parents of students who may have been in contact with the index cases to schedule testing. Tested individuals will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by DPHSS to return to campus. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas of the campuses are taking place to ensure schools are ready for regular hours of operation on Friday, August 20.

Week of August 14 – 20: GDOE School-Level COVID-19 Tracking (Student Cases)

UPDATE: COVID-19 Testing Continues 
DPHSS drive-through COVID-19 testing continues at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada through Saturday, August 21. Testing is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Up to 400 tests will be offered. Only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing will be conducted. For purposes of qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, samples will be collected through nasopharyngeal swabs. Testing is free and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Bring a photo ID. 

COVID-19 test results can be expected within 24 hours. To receive results via email, send a request to covidresults@dphss.guam.gov. For quicker service, DPHSS encourages individuals to visit dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing to download, print, and complete a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form before arriving at the testing site. 

Only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian and provide government-issued identification to validate age. The parent/legal guardian will also be required to sign a consent form for the minor to be tested for COVID-19. Testing for travel purposes will not be conducted at DPHSS drive-thru testing sites and must be scheduled with the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) by calling (671) 635-7525/6. 

The community is reminded to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they are identified as close contacts to confirmed positive cases or are experiencing any of the known COVID-19 symptoms, which include, but are not limited to:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath 
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not exhaustive of all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

UPDATE: COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule 

COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue at the locations and times below:

Bring a photo ID. Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. To view the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccination clinics, visit dphss.guam.gov/vaccinategu.

Special Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine:

• must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• must provide government-issued identification to validate minor’s age
• must provide minor’s birth certificate
• parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued ID 
• guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents

Homebound Vaccination Requests
DPHSS and the University of Guam (UOG) Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (CEDDERS) have partnered to service all homebound requests. Individuals who would like to request homebound COVID-19 vaccinations should call 311, option 2, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, to schedule an appointment. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update
On August 18, 306 residents received their first dose in a two-dose series, 30 residents received their dose in the single-dose series and an additional 174 residents have become fully vaccinated. To date, a total of 106,282 (77.98%) of Guam’s eligible population (residents 12 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This percentage includes 8,444 fully vaccinated residents between the ages of 12 – 17, as well as Guam's fully vaccinated adult population of 97,383. 

Parents/Guardians Encouraged to Pick Up SNAP P-EBT Cards
DPHSS, in collaboration with the GDOE continues the issuance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) cards at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. Parents are encouraged to continue to pick up P-EBT cards for their children. Below are the dates, times, and location for P-EBT Cards distribution for registered parents/guardians whose child/children attend a GDOE School:

The P-EBT Issuance Form, Q & A information sheet and brochure is available for download at dphss.guam.gov. While hard copy issuance forms are available at the distribution site, DPHSS and GDOE recommend that parents download, complete and print issuance forms prior to arriving at the distribution site. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. For questions about the P-EBT, you can call 311, option 7.

Food Commodities Distribution Continues
GDOE, State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Nutrition Service distribution will be available to village constituents only on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution is limited to three households per vehicle at the sites. Face masks must be worn. Bring a photo ID. 

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.