Joint Information Center-JIC Release No. 117 - PCOR 2 Sunday Continue to Practice Caution - Medicare Enrollment Information

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Joint Information Center-JIC Release No. 117 dated May 9, 2020 provides updates on Guam’s COVID-19 testing and patient release procedures under CDC test-based criteria. It explains Sunday, May 10 closure of the Guam Public Health Laboratory, specimen storage requirements, and reporting timelines. The release also covers Governor Lou Leon Guerrero’s PCOR 2 declaration for moderate restrictions and outlines public precaution guidance. It further details CMS “equitable relief” for Medicare enrollment delays due to SSA office closures and COVID-19 related access problems, including retroactive coverage details and contact channels.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

PCOR 2 Sunday updates

COVID-19 testing laboratory closure and reporting

Isolation release criteria and re-positive cases

Community precautions during PCOR 2

Medicare enrollment information

Equitable relief eligibility and benefits

Retroactivity and late enrollment penalty

Contact and inquiry channels

Joint Information Center-JIC Release No. 117 May 9, 2020, 11:55 a.m. (ChST) PCOR 2 Sunday, Continue to Practice Caution; Medicare Enrollment Information COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided this evening once all tests from today are finalized. The Guam Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) will be closed on Sunday, May 10, 2020. There will be no tests run. The GPHL will resume operations on Monday. Physicians are reminded to follow storage requirements by ensuring specimens are refrigerated at 2-8°C. To date, there have been 151 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths and 124 released from isolation. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice. The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) uses CDC’s test-based criteria for releasing patients from isolation. This requires COVID-19 patients to have two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart before being released from isolation. Some cases that were previously released from isolation have returned to active isolation status after re-testing positive for COVID-19 through follow-up testing. To date, no additional cases have been linked to people released from isolation. For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard at [http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/](http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/) . Declaration of Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 2 Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has declared Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 2 at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2020. PCOR 2 is the level with moderate restrictions and is intended to signal a positive movement toward normalcy. The PCOR 2 goals involve an effort to continue to slow the possible spread ofCOVID-19 while being able to gradually re-open certain business, non-governmental organization, government, and individual activities. Industry specific guidelines are made available for businesses and non-governmental organizations on the Guam Chamber of Commerce website: [https://www.guamchamber.com.gu/guam/guidelines-to-opening-guam-businesses-and-ngos](https://www.guamchamber.com.gu/guam/guidelines-to-opening-guam-businesses-and-ngos) Although many businesses will be open to the public, the community is reminded to continue to practice precautionary measures: ● Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others ● Wear facial coverings around others and in public establishments ● Adhere to respective business protocols in place for protection from COVID-19 ● Practice good hygiene frequently ● Stay home if you are sick While social gatherings of no more than 10 people are allowed, keep in mind the health and safety of your loved ones. Practice safe measures when around others by waving instead of hugging or embracing one another. Medicare Enrollment Information If a Medicare beneficiary missed their opportunity to enroll because the Social Security Administration (SSA) offices were closed or they did not know how to submit an application online to SSA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking further action to ensure beneficiaries have access to the critical health care coverage they need in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. CMS may provide “equitable relief” if circumstances described in section 1837(h) of the Social Security Act (the Act) occur. Equitable relief may be in the form of extra time for certain eligible beneficiaries to enroll in Part B or premium-Part A, or refuse automatic Part B enrollment. In addition, eligible beneficiaries would not be subject to a late enrollment penalty for the period between the original enrollment period and the enrollment during this extension of the enrollment period. Beneficiaries are eligible for equitable relief due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related national emergency if they were unable to make th

FAQs

What changes occur on Sunday, May 10, 2020 regarding COVID-19 testing in Guam?

The Guam Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) will be closed on Sunday, May 10, and no tests will be run. The GPHL resumes operations on Monday.

How does the process work for releasing COVID-19 patients from isolation?

DPHSS uses CDC test-based criteria requiring two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart before patients are released from isolation.

What is “equitable relief” for Medicare beneficiaries during COVID-19, and what does it cover?

CMS may provide extra time to enroll in Part B or premium-Part A, or allow beneficiaries to refuse automatic Part B enrollment. Eligible beneficiaries can also be exempt from late enrollment penalties for the period between the original enrollment and the extended enrollment period, with equitable relief retroactive to March 17, 2020.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys