JIC #155: 2 more positive cases; Executive Orders launch unemployment and small business relief

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero Monday signed Executive Order No. 2020-17 relative to Guam’s launching of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Programs (FPUC).

After successfully completing a soft testing of the PUA module over the weekend, the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) launched the PUA online application process today on Hireguam.com. GDOL has created a tutorial video for filing a weekly claim which can be viewed on the GDOL Facebook page.

Although the application process is currently only available online, GDOL has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Guam Community College (GCC) to stand up a processing center on the campus for those without Internet access. Once the processing center is open, individuals can make an appointment and receive help with their applications. More information will be provided once available.

For inquiries, call 735-0527/28/29/30/31/32 or email pua.hotline@dol.guam.gov.

Executive Order No. 2020-18 

Governor Leon Guerrero also signed Executive Order No. 2020-18 relative to launching the Guam Small Business Pandemic Assistance Grant Program. A total of $20 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding will be directed to Guam’s small businesses who have suffered financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 due to business closure, reduced consumer spending, and a decline in visitor arrivals. The Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) is designated as the official responsible for overseeing the program.

For a list of eligibility requirements, visit www.investguam.com/smallbusiness. Applications are being accepted via email until the $20 million in funding set aside under the CARES Act is exhausted or until December 30, 2020, whichever comes first.

For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 27 individuals for COVID-19 on Monday, June 1, 2020, with conclusive results. Zero tested positive through DPHSS and 27 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Two additional cases of COVID-19 were reported earlier today. One case tested positive by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH). The second additional case is a probable case that tested positive through serology testing at Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS).

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The cumulative total from all labs will be reported on a nightly basis, unless unavailable. The following breakdown provides cumulative COVID-19 test results for Monday, June 1, 2020:

1-Beginning March 26, 2020 4Beginning April 23, 2020
2-Beginning March 31, 2020 5Beginning April 30, 2020
3-Beginning April 15, 2020

To date, there have been 175 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths, 145 released from isolation, and 25 active cases.

New criteria for release of cases from isolation were implemented on May 22.

For persons having symptoms, at least 10 days have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) and any other symptoms attributed to COVID-19 infection AND at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared—or, with recurrent symptoms, at least 10 days have passed since recurrent symptoms appeared—AND at least 14 days have passed since the date of their first (or most recent) positive COVID-19 diagnostic test. For persons without symptoms, at least 14 days have passed since the date of their first (or most recent) positive COVID-19 diagnostic test assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test.

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