(Updated)
Two more Covid-19 patients died at the Guam Memorial Hospital today, bringing Guam's death count to 28.
The first patient, a 45-year-old woman with had underlying health conditions, passed away at 3 p.m. She was initially admitted to GMH on Aug. 17 and subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.
An 84-year-old man passed away an hour and a half later. He had underlying health conditions and was initially admitted to GMH on Sept. 3. He tested positive for Covid-19 during initial work-up. He died at 4:30 p.m.
Youyang Gu, one of the models followed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has updated its death forecast, predicting 64 Covid-19 fatalities on Guam by Nov. 1.
The Joint Information Center reported 39 new cases from 435 samples tested on Sept. 15. The latest Covid count for Guam 1,966 confirmed cases, 626 cases in active isolation, and 1,312 not in isolation. Of those cases, 1,709 are classified as civilians and 257 are military service members.
“Our grief continues as we lose another to Covid-19. Jeff, Lt. Governor Josh, and I express our sincerest condolences and sympathies to his family and friends, and they will remain in our thoughts and prayers,” said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.
“I know these announcements have taken their toll on us all, but I want you to know that you are not alone. The virus may be cruel, but it is not stronger than the love we have for each other. Our island must remain committed to protecting each other and keeping each other safe. That is the only way we can get through this.”
Leon Guerrero noted that the nation has been seeing rapid declines in health, sudden deaths, and the inability to be with loved ones in their final moments.
"Covid-19 has changed the way we mourn—we can't grieve with family, we can't comfort each other, and we can't hold each other. I urge everyone to do what they need to do to prevent any more losses," the governor said.
Meanwhile, an individual employed with the Guam Census office has recently tested positive for Covid-19. The employee remains in home isolation and has never had contact with the public in their capacity as a Guam Census employee.
The confined area in which the employee works has been deep cleaned and is currently closed to other employees. The Guam Census Office will continue to employ its current policy of twice a day sanitation of the facility. The office has remained closed to the public since Aug. 15.
In adherence with Guam DPHSS guidelines, the Guam Census Office enforces the mandatory use of face coverings and social distancing within the facility and conducts temperature checks of all employees before entering.
The Guam Census Office call center will remain open for residents to complete the 2020 Census over the telephone.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Health and Social Services today authorized the resumption of all constructions projects after reviewing operational plans and inspecting construction facilities to ensure that Covid mitigation measures were in place and the health of the workers were prioritized.
However, the new directive does not apply to construction sites that have to be inspected, the department said.
