JIC RELEASE NO. 41 - Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases; Commercial Testing of COVID-19 Available Now; DPHSS Division Updates; CDC Guidelines on Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces
Joint Information Center - JIC Release No. 41
March 31, 2020, 1 p.m. (ChST)
The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 20 individuals for COVID-19 on Monday, March 30, 2020 with conclusive results. Two (2) tested positive through DPHSS and 18 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. The DPHSS overall count also includes two positive cases that were tested by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego. Additional results will be provided later this evening once today’s test results are finalized.
Preliminary Profiles of Earlier Confirmed Cases
Most of Guam COVID-19 known positive cases have epidemiological links to other confirmed
cases. Profiles of the previous 58 confirmed cases, which includes reports of two
positive confirmed cases that DPHSS received from the U.S. Naval Hospital that was
tested through the Department of Defense and sent off island:
Status | Gender | Residential Location | Travel History | Age Group |
30 are stable 19 hospitalized 7 recovered 1 military 1 deceased |
29 male 29 female |
19 from the north 25 from central 11 from the south 2 Homeless 1 pending |
7 - Philippines 2 - U.S. Mainland 1 - Hawaii 1 - Japan |
1 is in their 90s 3 are in their 80s 6 are in their 70s 16 are in their 60s 11 are in their 50s 12 are in their 40s 5 are in their 30s 4 are in their 20s |
Commercial Testing for COVID-19 Available Through Diagnostic Laboratory Services
DPHSS announces that effective today, commercial testing of COVID-19 will be available
through Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS). Health care providers can now refer
specimens from patients who do not meet the criteria for priority group testing directly
to Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS). COVID-19 testing is covered under MEDICARE,
MEDICAID, and MIP. If you have mild illness and want to be tested, contact your healthcare
provider.
DPHSS reminds clinicians that the Guam Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) COVID-19 testing remains limited to these Priority
Groups:
1. Hospitalized and Emergency Room patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
2. Patients scheduled for urgent surgery (not elective surgery).
3. People with chronic diseases at any age and COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., diabetes,
cancer, COPD, asthma, ERSD, lupus, cancer, and others as determined by clinician).
4. Health care workers and first responders with COVID-19 symptoms.
5. Older people, pregnant women and very small infants with COVID-19 symptoms.
6. Indigent patients with COVID-19 symptoms lacking insurance.
Public Welfare Applications and Forms May Be Downloaded from the DPHSS Website
As the entire island is urged to practice social distancing during this State of Public
Health Emergency due to COVID-19, the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) within the
Department of Public Health and Social Services advises its clients that program applications
and forms may be downloaded from the department’s website. Please follow these instructions
to download forms:
Please call the Bureau of Economic Security at your assigned site for questions on services:
Extension of Effective Date to Enforce DPHSS Guidance Memo No. 2020-02: Social Distancing
Requirements, Posting of Signs, and Providing Handwashing Facilities or Hand Sanitizers
for Essential Businesses with Customer-Facing Services
DPHSS today announced that the effective date for the enforcement of the expanded orders of Executive Orders 2020-05 through 2020-07, specific to social distancing and other requirements, for essential businesses will be 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
The extension of the date to enforce the executive orders allows Guam’s essential retailers and other essential businesses with ample time to come into compliance with the Executive Orders. Affected businesses must ensure that:
This Department and the Department of Revenue and Taxation, with the support of the Guam Police Department, will enforce the provisions of the Executive Orders. Such enforcement may include fines and the termination of business license.
COVID-19: CDC Guidelines on How to Clean and Disinfect
This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or
areas occupied by those with suspected or with confirmed COVID-19. It is aimed at
limiting the survival of SARS-CoV-2 in key environments. Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces
Soft (Porous) Surfaces
Electronics
Linens, Clothing, and Other Items That Go in the Laundry
For inquiries on COVID-19, local numbers can call 311 or contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.
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