JIC RELEASE NO. 85 - Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases; Safeguarding Against Illegal Disinfectants; Establishment of COVID-19 Transport Units - GHS OCD

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The cumulative total from all labs will be reported on a nightly basis. Updated results will be provided this evening, once all tests from today are completed.

Preliminary Profiles of Confirmed Cases
Profiles of the 136 COVID-19 cases include three probable cases (formerly referred to as clinically diagnosed cases), reports of 11 confirmed positive cases received from the U.S. Naval Hospital that were tested by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, and five confirmed positive cases through Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS).

To date, there are 136 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 114 recoveries and 5 deaths. The Joint Information Center reports fatalities of confirmed COVID-19 cases only. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice.

For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, including residential villages of confirmed cases, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.

MEDICAL STATUS

GENDER

RESIDENTIAL LOCATION

TRAVEL HISTORY*

AGE GROUP

Stable: 14

Hospitalized: 03

Recovered: 114

Deaths: 05

Female: 73

Male: 63

North: 69

Central: 43

South: 22

Homeless: 02

Dubai: 02

Japan: 01

Philippines: 11

Singapore: 01

U.S.: 05

*Some cases traveled to more than one country

90+: 01

80-89: 04

70-79: 11

60-69: 35

50-59: 25

40-49: 24

30-39: 14

20-29: 14

10-19: 07

0-9: 01

Guam EPA , U.S. EPA Region IX Safeguard Against Illegal Disinfectants
The Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) has received reports from the public about the presence of illegal disinfectants that have been imported into Guam. With the assistance of the Department of Revenue and Taxation, at least five businesses have been identified for the retail and distribution of illegal disinfectants that make claims to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Stop sale orders were issued to these businesses. Upon completion of Guam EPA’s investigation, further enforcement action may ensue.

Guam EPA reminds the public to exercise caution when purchasing disinfectants. Disinfectants are antimicrobial chemicals designed to destroy microorganisms. The product label on the disinfectant must be in English and must include:

An EPA Registration number
An EPA Establishment number
Manufacturer’s name
Directions for use
Instructions for storage and disposal

Please visit www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2 to view a list of products that have been proven safe and effective for use against the virus that causes COVID-19.

With the public’s assistance, Guam EPA has discovered the sale of at least two illegal disinfectants in the local market:

Virus Shut Out
Island Strong Cl02 Chlorine Dioxide Hand & Surface Disinfectant Spray

If not properly tested and registered with the U.S. EPA, the use of these products, and other illegal disinfectant products could have toxic effects on humans and animals.

If you are a private resident in possession of these products, you are urged to dispose of them immediately at the Guam Solid Waste Authority’s (GSWA) Hazardous Household Waste Facility in the Harmon residential transfer station from Thursday – Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As a reminder, the use of all GSWA residential transfer station services by non-residential entities is prohibited.

If you would like to report business for selling illegal disinfectants, please contact the Joint Information Center, or email covid19@epa.guam.gov.

Establishment of COVID-19 Transport Units
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented global challenges, most notably for Emergency Medical Services. Guam is further constrained due to the tyranny of distance and isolation from neighboring islands and the United States. Anticipating an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients, the Guam Fire Department (GFD) has developed a plan to commission the COVID Transport Unit (CTU): two teams dedicated to transporting symptomatic, but otherwise stable, ambulatory patients.

“The intent of this program is to protect our personnel and extend the sustainability of our response efforts well into the coming months, as we battle the spread of this disease,” said Fire Chief Daniel Stone.

Battalion Chief Edward Chaco added, “By providing an alternate mode of care and transportation for these patients, we decrease the risk of exposure to our personnel, minimize contamination of our emergency response vehicles and equipment, and ultimately reduce the crisis workload so our ambulances can be utilized for emergency calls.”

These specialized units, operating out of the Astumbo and Yona Fire Stations, will provide prompt care for patients experiencing non-life-threatening, COVID-19 related symptoms, effective Tuesday, April 21.

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. 85 - Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases; Safeguarding Against Illegal Disinfectants; Establishment of COVID-19 Transport Units