JIC RELEASE NO. 580 - Results: Seven of 907 Test Positive for COVID-19;DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-06; VAPPC Prioritizes Second Doses Until Vaccination Supply is Restored; February 27 Vaccination Clinic to be Rescheduled;Food Commodities Distribution

Results: Seven New Cases of COVID-19
Seven (7) new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 907 tests performed by the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) on Sunday, February 21, and tests from additional labs from Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21. Five (5) cases reported recent travel history and were identified in quarantine. Three (3) cases were identified through contact tracing. *Note: This breakdown includes the 15 cases previously reported by the Joint Information Center since Friday, February 19, 2021.

To date, there have been a total of 7,727 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 130 deaths, 53 cases in active isolation, and 7,554 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 JIC on Monday, February 22, and reflects results additional labs from Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21:

The following provides preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the JIC on Monday, February 22, for vaccinations administered from December 17 to February 21:

*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.

***Administering second doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 29, 2021.

^As of February 21, 2021 | ^^Reflects the previous allocation total of 43,500 and last received allocation of 7,800 on February 7, 2021

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-06

Today, DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2021-06 to advise the public of restrictions and allowances for public and private operations in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-04 during the current Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 (PCOR 3):

• EFFECTIVE 8AM, FEBRUARY 22, 2021: Businesses that primarily supply other businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate, hardware stores and retail stores may operate at seventy-five percent (75%) occupancy load. All other authorized businesses and services shall operate at no more than fifty percent (50%) occupancy load.

• EFFECTIVE 8AM, FEBRUARY 22, 2021: Organized Sports, Non-Contact Training and Competition is authorized ; provided, 6 feet distance is maintained, including while occupying a vehicle (i.e., golf cart) or in an enclosed space, and:

  • There is no deliberate direct contact between participants;

  • If held indoors, the total number of individuals, including players and coaches, cannot exceed 50% of the occupancy load; and where and when applicable, implement frequent disinfection of surfaces that can be contaminated with the COVID virus, require the wearing of face masks by all who are not engaged in the activity (i.e., coaches and employees), and the posting of signs for social distancing and face mask requirements; 

  • If held outdoors, the number of participants is limited to no more than fifty (50) persons with no more than twenty-five (25) persons per spectator group; and

  • Non-participants (i.e., instructors, employees, and parents) must wear face masks.

• EFFECTIVE 8AM, FEBRUARY 22, 2021: Bowling alleys and food concession sales may operate, provided with the following requirements:

  • Must not exceed 50% of the occupancy load;

  • Face masks are worn at all times by customers (and employees), except when actively eating and drinking;

  • The food concession adherences to the Guam Food Code;

  • Communal food and condiments that requires shared serving utensils or equipment are eliminated;

  • Barriers between employees and customers are provided at service counter or point of sale; and

  • A written record is maintained by the establishment, which provides the following information that must be readily available to DPHSS, when requested:

    • Date and time of the visit of every customer;

    • Name of customer(s);

    • Customer’s seating area;

    • Number of customers in each bowling lane; and

    • Phone and/or email of every customer.

• EFFECTIVE 5PM, FEBRUARY 24, 2021: Bars and taverns are authorized to operate at no more than fifty percent (50%) occupancy load. Additional guidance is forthcoming.

Social gatherings remain limited to no more than twenty-five (25) people, with social distancing maintained for gatherings where individuals are from different immediate family units or from a single household unit. Individuals participating in a social gathering must wear face masks to the greatest extent possible under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance, or as provided in applicable DPHSS guidance.

Contact sporting events and organized games of all types, senior citizen centers and all other businesses and activities not identified in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-06 are prohibited at this time. To view this guidance memo in its entirety, click HERE.

VAPPC Prioritizes Second Doses Until Vaccination Supply is Restored
During their weekly virtual meeting today, the Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Policy Committee (VAPPC) received updates on Guam’s COVID-19 vaccine allotment. As reported in JIC Release No. 578, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero secured additional vaccines for the month of March. Vaccines are expected to arrive the first week of March and will include 14,200 Moderna and 21,060 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. Due to severe winter weather in the U.S. mainland, the allotment cannot be advanced. February’s remaining vaccine supply will be prioritized for those due for their second dose.

The VAPPC will maintain its current policy on vaccine eligibility until vaccine supply is restored. The committee intends to expand eligibility of the COVID-19 vaccine to adults age 50 and older, and the prison population as wards of the state, however, the committee agreed to defer official action until the delivery of the March allocation of 35,260 doses of vaccines. 

Food Commodities Distribution Through Community Organizations Continues
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE), State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Service (FNS), continues food commodities distribution in partnership with community organizations.

Commodities are provided, in bags and in bulk, to community organizations. Organizations will distribute food commodities directly to their clients/families/households. Organizations will receive an array of non-perishable food commodities. Food commodities for a total of 1,646 clients/families/households will be provided to organizations for distribution.

The following is a schedule of food commodities to be picked up by organizations:

Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled for Feb. 23 & 26
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, and GDOE, continues village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Tuesday, February 23 at the Yona Gym; and Friday, February 26 at the Barrigada Community Center. Village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic hours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Although walk-ins are accepted, eligible village residents are encouraged to register with their respective mayor’s office. Up to 100 doses will be administered at each clinic location.

Homebound Vaccinations Continue February 23 – 24, 26
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, and GDOE, continues homebound vaccinations for those who pre-registered with their respective village mayors and met the eligibility criteria. Homebound vaccinations are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the following villages and locations: Tuesday, February 23 in Yona; Wednesday, February 24 at the Adult Day Care; and Friday, February 26 in Barrigada.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for February 23 – 26 at UOG Fieldhouse
COVID-19 vaccination clinics resume Tuesday, February 23 to Friday, February 26 at the UOG Fieldhouse. These clinics will prioritize those due for their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Those due for their second dose of the vaccine may get their second dose up to four (4) days early. Due to limited supply, Pfizer-BioNTech first doses will be limited to 60 per hour for eligible individuals. No first doses of the Moderna vaccine will be administered. 

Walk-ins wishing to avoid long wait times are discouraged from arriving at the 1 p.m. hour. Average wait times during this hour are generally 2-3 times longer than those later in the afternoon or early evening. 

Upon arrival, individuals 70 years and older will be sent to the front of the line. Please bring a digital or hard copy appointment confirmation, a photo ID, and proof of Guam residency (Guam Driver's License, Guam ID, Green Card, US or FSM Passport, H1B or H2B visas for skilled workers). Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. This ensures quicker processing and proper documentation.

February 27 Vaccination Clinic to be Rescheduled 
As the island continues toward achieving herd immunity, global demand for the vaccine will affect supply levels, which may affect vaccination clinics. 

Limited supply for the remainder of the month will result in the postponement of the vaccination clinic scheduled for Saturday, February 27, at the UOG Fieldhouse. Affected individuals may receive a call from the UOG Call Center on behalf of DPHSS, informing them of the clinic postponement. Once vaccine supply is restored, additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled and announced to ensure these individuals complete their vaccination series. 

All other vaccination clinics and appointments scheduled for Tuesday, February 23 to Friday, February 26 remain unaffected at this time. 

Those who anticipated receiving their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Saturday, February 27, are encouraged to proceed to the vaccination clinic scheduled for Friday, February 26 at the UOG Fieldhouse. 

Short-term deferral of the second dose will not decrease the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, nor will affected individuals be required to restart the vaccination series. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible. The CDC further states that if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval and a delay in vaccination is unavoidable, the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose.

Enrolled Provider List for COVID-19 Vaccinations
In addition to mass vaccination clinics held at the UOG Fieldhouse, eligible Guam residents may contact any of the participating enrolled providers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:

Public and private clinics and pharmacies may become enrolled providers after first agreeing to participate in the DPHSS vaccination program. Enrolled providers must meet federal storage and handling requirements for COVID-19 vaccines as established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designate staff to complete CDC online training and certification courses, and enroll to report vaccine administration through DPHSS Immunization Registry to meet CDC reporting requirements. Enrolled providers will continue to receive COVID-19 vaccination allocations from DPHSS monthly if the island’s vaccination allocation supply permits and if they continue to uphold these requirements.

Pre-screening Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccinations
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

*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. Please visit dphss.guam.gov to view the pre-screening eligibility.

V-Safe Vaccine Symptom Monitoring 
After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, register for 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. You can quickly report side effects, and depending on your answers, you may receive a call from CDC. V-safe will remind you to get your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up at vsafe.cdc.gov.

DOE Division of Food Nutrition Helpline
The Department of Education Division of Food Nutrition Service would like the public to contact them if there are any concerns with the Grab and Go (GNG) Meals. Patrons may call (671) 475-6760 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday or send an email to FNSMD-LEA@gdoe.net.

The GNG meals are to be consumed by the Friday of the week it was distributed for (i.e., If meals are distributed on February 19, they are to be consumed by Friday, February 26). This is to ensure optimal safety with food consumption for children 0-18 years. Please note the GNG meals must not be stored for longer than one week from the day it was distributed and received.

Please be advised the GNG meals are intended to be consumed by children between 0-18 years old and NOT to be sold, traded, or used in lieu of payment for any reason whatsoever.

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline 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. 

Click here to view DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-06