(Updated)
A 55-year-old man was Guam's 70th Covid-19-related fatality. He died at the Guam Memorial Hospital around 4:50 a.m. The patient had underlying health conditions complicated by Covid-19. He was admitted to GMH on Oct.10 and was a known positive case.
At 2:07 p.m. a 67-year-old man died at the Guam Regional Medical City. The patient-- Guam's 71st death-- had underlying health conditions that were compounded by coronavirus. He was admitted to GRMC on Oct. 24 and tested positive upon admission.
The Joint Information Center reported 34 new Covid-19 positive cases today. To date, there have been a total of 4,175 officially reported cases of Covid-19 with 71 deaths, 1,601 cases in active isolation and 2,503 not in active isolation.
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“Scripture tells us that those who mourn will be comforted," Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said. "As we join in sorrow with the families and friends who have lost so much to this virus, we must also do all that we can so no more of our fellow brothers and sisters suffer the same fate. You have heard it time and time again—wear your masks, social distance, and stay home.”
Through its swift internal contact tracing, voluntary quarantine, and testing protocols, the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority has confirmed two additional airport employees having tested positive for Covid-19, one from late yesterday and another one today.
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“Both employees were identified as close contacts of previously announced cases and had been in voluntary quarantine pending COVID-19 test results for the past few days. Internal contact tracing is being conducted on the newly identified positive cases,” said John “JQ” Quinata, GIAA executive manager.
“Out of an abundance of caution, our administrative offices have been closed since Tuesday, continued sanitization efforts have been undertaken, and normal airport operations have continued unimpeded. ”
Currently, the general public is not allowed to access the airport terminal. Only GIAA-authorized employees, those providing GIAA-approved essential services, and ticketed passengers are allowed into the terminal. Entry is controlled with only official designated entrances on the ground departure level and the basement arrivals level.
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The airport authority said 100 percent thermal screening continues to be in place at specified controlled entry points, while the mandatory use of face masks/coverings is strictly enforced. Signage throughout the terminal remind patrons to practice social distancing and frequent hand washing.
“We continue to do everything in our power to establish and maintain a safe environment at our only civilian airport—as our operations are essential to Guam’s connection to the world," Quinata said.
"As social distancing and the wearing of face masks are both practiced and enforced, and hand sanitizers are provided throughout the terminal building—we want to assure the traveling public that the airport continues these safe protocols to ensure continuity of operations.”
The Department of Youth Affairs reported another officer testing positive. This is DYA’s fifth employee to test positive for Covid-19, all of whom are on leave status. The latest officer to test positive did not report for duty since Saturday, Oct. 17 and had been tested at their respective clinic. DYA has scheduled testing of personnel today. Results are forthcoming.
Also on Saturday, the Guam Department of Education confirmed that three employees from B.P. Carbullido Elementary School, Ordot Chalan Pago Elementary School and Finegayan Elementary School tested positive.
Two of the three cases were identified through contact tracing efforts. The GDOE is working closely with DPHSS to conduct contact tracing and any close contacts of the confirmed cases will be contacted directly.
Areas of the campuses will be cleaned and disinfected as needed. Employees will not have access to these areas until cleaning has been completed. Hard copy packet and food distribution will continue uninterrupted.