JIC RELEASE NO. 585 - 131st COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported;Results: One of 137 Tests Positive for COVID-19;Vaccination Clinics to Resume Once Vaccine Supply is Restored;Governor Lou Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-05

131st COVID-19-Related Fatality Reported
The Joint Information Center was notified that Guam’s 131st COVID-19-related fatality occurred at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) on February 27, 2021, at approximately 3:04 a.m. The patient was a 36-year-old female with underlying health conditions. She was admitted to GMH on January 7, 2021, and was a known positive case.

“Jeff, Josh, and I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends who are left to mourn. Though words cannot heal the pain or fill the void left by a loved one who has passed, all of us must do what we can to stop this virus from taking another. We cannot afford to become complacent,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

Results: One New Case of COVID-19

One (1) new case of COVID-19 was identified out of 137 tests performed on Friday, February 26. 

To date, there have been a total of 7,735 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 131 deaths, 40 cases in active isolation, and 7,564 not in active isolation.

1The COVID Area Risk (CAR) Score will be recalculated once reports from all participating labs are up to date. The 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 Saturday, February 27, and reflects results from Friday, February 26:

The following provides preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the JIC on Saturday, February 27, for vaccinations administered from December 17 to February 26:

*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 26, 2021. Total doses administered and allotted doses differ as vaccinators were able to draw additional doses per vial. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s February 25, 2021 revision of their Fact Sheet relative to the Pfizer-BioNTech Emergency Use Authorization now states “After dilution, one vial contains 6 doses of 0.3 mL. Vial labels and cartons may state that after dilution, a vial contains 5 doses of 0.3 mL. The information in this Fact Sheet regarding the number of doses per vial after dilution supersedes the number of doses stated on vial labels and cartons.” | ^^Reflects the previous allocation total of 43,500 and last received allocation of 7,800 on February 7, 2021

Vaccination Clinics to Resume Once Vaccine Supply is Restored
As the island continues toward achieving herd immunity, global demand for the vaccine will affect supply levels, which may affect vaccination clinics. As reported in JIC Release No. 584, on Friday, the Department of Public Health and Social Services’ (DPHSS) Immunization Program placed its order for 35,260 COVID-19 vaccines for March, with shipment expected the first week of March. 

Once Guam’s vaccine supply is restored, mass vaccination clinics will resume, and additional vaccination clinics will prioritize those due for the second dose to ensure those individuals complete their vaccination series. Mass vaccination clinics are anticipated to be scheduled as early as March 8, 2021. More information will become available through the Joint Information Center once it becomes available. 

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.

Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-05

Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2021-05, relative to extending the public health emergency declaration for an additional thirty (30) day period to April 1, 2021, and orders such that:

• PANDEMIC CONDITION OF READINESS 3. Guam continues to be in PCOR 3, during which most activities are permitted to operate under moderate restrictions imposed in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
   

• OPEN GOVERNMENT LAW.  Effective March 8, 2021, Item 5 of Executive Order No. 2020-06, Item 4 of Executive Order No. 2020-07, and Item 4 of Executive Order No. 2020-16 are rescinded.  

  • Participation in Government Meetings via Teleconference.  Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in 5 G.C.A. § 43121, all members of government boards and commissions may attend and participate in regular and special meetings and executive sessions via video teleconferencing.  All requirements in local law expressly or impliedly requiring the physical presence of members, other personnel of the body, or of the public as a condition of participation in or quorum for a public meeting are hereby waived. Any government board or commission holding a meeting entirely via teleconference shall notice at least one telephonically or electronically available location from which members of the public shall have the right to observe and offer public comment at the public meeting, as applicable.

• CONTINUED AUTHORIZATION FOR OVERTIME.  As previously set forth in Executive Order No. 2020-16, incurrence of and payment for overtime for certain government of Guam employees is authorized for work performed in excess of 40 hours a week to mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of COVID-19.  The Office of Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense is authorized to determine eligibility of overtime resulting from work performed by government agencies, and approval of overtime plans by the Bureau of Budget Management and Research shall, to the extent possible, be obtained prior to incurring any such overtime.  

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 21.0227 Executive Order No. 2021-05 - Relative to Extending the Public Health Emergency Declared to Respond to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)