First COVID-19 death on Guam

Dr. Mike Cruz announced the first COVID-19 related death on Guam during a press conference Sunday morning.

The person died at 1:30 a.m. at Guam Memorial Hospital, Cruz said.

The 68-year-old woman arrived at GMH with fever, chills and shortness of breath. She had no travel history. She had contact with someone who traveled recently and had tested positive for the virus, said Dr. Joleen Aguon.

More: COVID-19 response: What's open, closed, canceled, postponed, adjusted

More: Guam Public Health: There is evidence of coronavirus community spread

The woman and the traveler didn't live in the same household.

Aguon said the patient had multiple co-morbidities, including end-stage renal disease, diabetes and hypertension. The patient and her family decided that she wouldn't undergo extreme life-saving measures, such as life support.

Patients with multiple co-morbidities, especially end-stage renal disease and diabetes, have compromised immune systems and are especially susceptible to complications from COVID-19, Aguon said.

The announcement came a week after the governor announced the first confirmed case of the virus on the island.

During that week, a health emergency was declared, schools were closed, businesses were shuttered and residents were urged to socially isolate. Arriving travelers have been placed in quarantine.

As of Sunday morning, there were 15 reported COVID-19 cases on Guam. All 15 confirmed cases were kept in isolation at Guam Memorial Hospital or at temporary home isolation, until they could be transferred to the Skilled Nursing Facility on Saturday.

Of the 15 cases:

Six are in their 60s

Three are in their 50s

Three are in their 40s

Two are in their 30s

One is in their 20s

The majority of travel-related cases come from the Philippines.

'Work does not stop'

"As we mourn our first death, we must know that work does not stop and cannot stop," said Cruz. "There is strong evidence that COVID-19 cases have spread throughout our community, and have affected residents in the northern, central and southern villages."

According to the CDC, community spread means a person has the illness and the source of the infection is unknown, and according to the Department of Public Health and Social Services, not all of the people who have the virus on Guam got it while traveling.

"Maintain social distance, wash your hands, avoid touching your face before your hands are clean and always maintain good hygiene," Cruz said. "People of Guam, we need to take this serious."

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero urged all residents to stay home, and to minimize contact with the elderly.

"Younger people that have the disease will be more likely to be mild to moderate," she said. "It has been shown that people who are most vulnerable are the elders. Stay home, take care of yourselves, rest and don't have contact with people you don't need to have contact with."

More: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero will seek major disaster declaration

Currently, the hospital staff that cared for the patient, and any COVID-19 confirmed patients, are on a strict monitoring system, being checked regularly with updates regarding any signs or symptoms, according to the Joint Information Center.

Health officials will continue to screen all who have come in contact with COVID-19 confirmed patients.

Make the call

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, call your health care provider.

If a patient doesn't have a regular health care provider, they can call any of the Community Health Centers or the Department of Public Health and Social Services Medical Triage Hotline Phone Numbers to report symptoms and obtain guidance from clinicians:

480-7859

480-6760/3

480-7883

687-6170 (ADA Dedicated Number)

The numbers are operational daily, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are limited to medical-related inquiries only.

Reporter Anumita Kaur covers military, business and tourism on Guam. Follow her on Twitter @anumitakaur. Reach her at akaur@guampdn.com.