Guam returns to high-risk level
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero today extended Guam’s public health emergency for yet another 30 days, with the current restrictions remaining in place until the island achieves a low-risk level.
“Though Guam recently moved into the moderate category of risk based on CDC Community Level metrics, Guam has returned to the high-risk level as of this writing,” the governor said in her latest executive order.
The public health emergency, which was set to expire on April 3, will now continue until May 3.
While the Joint Region Marianas has fully lifted the mask mandate at defense installations on Guam, off-base residents will continue to cover their faces until the Covid-19 risk level is deemed more manageable.
“Once Guam achieves 14 days in low risk, then we can proceed at lifting outdoor mask restrictions,” Communications Director Krystal Paco-San Agustin said. “Another 14 days, then we can proceed at lifting the overall mask mandate.”
The governor maintained that mandating the use of masks in public spaces has aided in community Covid-19 responses worldwide.
"The use of masks is a cornerstone piece in an individual's layered prevention strategy," she said. "The science supporting the use of masks is as universal as it is incontrovertible."
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The Joint Information Center today reported Guam’s 343rd Covid0-19 related fatality, which occurred at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam on March 29. The patient was an 87-year-old male, fully vaccinated with a booster, who had underlying health conditions and tested positive on March 28.
The Department of Public Health and Social Services reported 59 new cases from 753 specimens analyzed on March 28. Of this tally, 19 cases were reported through the Department of Defense. To date, there have been a total of 47,181 officially reported cases, 343 deaths, 851 cases in active isolation, and 45,987 not in active isolation.
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The current crowd limit— 250 indoors— and social distancing will continue to be enforced until the 14-day low-risk level is achieved.
“The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) community level metrics track the following items: the cumulative seven-day new Covid-19 cases per 100,000, which is presently 203.5 in Guam; the seven-day new hospital admissions per 100,000, which is currently recorded at 11; and the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by Covid-19 patients, which presently stands at 5 percent locally," the governor said.
Travel restrictions, however, have been lifted effective immediately. “Individuals arriving in Guam on domestic or international flights are no longer subject to quarantine," the governor's latest directive said.
“Businesses may impose stricter restrictions, including requirements for mask-wearing and social distancing, subject to local and federal laws," the governor said.
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