Hagåtña, Guam – The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) continues to work with local and federal partners to address the threat of COVID-19. Should there be a sick person arriving on an any ports of entry (incoming plane or vessel), the Guam Communicable Disease Response Plan and Protocol is as follows:

  • If an ill passenger is identified, the airline calls Tower 1 prior to landing. 

  • Tower 1 notifies Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency (CQA). 

  • CQA contacts the Territorial Epidemiologist. Via phone, the Territorial Epidemiologist gathers information on the case and determines if the passenger has any suspected illness of public health concern or meets U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for a person under investigation (PUI). You can find the updated “Criteria to Guide Evaluation of PUI for COVID-19” on the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html

  • If criteria is met, DPHSS Communicable Response Team [a DPHSS nurse and a DPHSS Bureau of Communicable Disease Control (BCDC) investigator] is activated to the airport or vessel.  

  • DPHSS Communicable Response Team conducts a clinical and an epidemiological assessment. 

  • Following an assessment, the DPHSS Medical Director is contacted and the passenger is directed to the hospital or a private health care provider. 

“These protocols are reviewed by experts at a national level and are in place for a reason. We have faced very similar circumstances numerous times in the recent past, but we were prepared. We followed our plan, and Guam is stronger because of it. This is no different,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. 

Governor Leon Guerrero has also ordered the hiring of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Certified Nurse Aides, on an on-call basis, to assist with the screening passengers at the ports of entry and health care settings. 

Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19, and no people who meet the U.S. CDC criteria for a PUI for COVID-19 in Guam. Guam is carefully assessing the situation as it evolves. With any change in status, anticipate timely notification. 

Educational Materials Available on DPHSS Website 

DPHSS has educational print-ready materials available for sharing via social media, or download, print, and distribution on the DPHSS website:

http://dphss.guam.gov/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-n-cov/

Stay Up to Date with Reputable Sources

It is important to note that the situation can change daily. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information: 

For more information, contact DPHSS Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., at (671) 735-7154.

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