The Latest News: DPHSS Updates; GHURA Evictions Suspended; Judiciary Extends Closure
DPHSS Updates
The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 40 individuals for COVID-19 on Friday, March 27, 2020 with conclusive results. Four (4) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 36 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.
A total of 348 tests were performed from March 12, 2020 through March 27, 2020 with conclusive results. To date, a total of 49 cases tested positive by DPHSS and 299 cases tested negative for COVID-19 with one death.
Additionally, there have been two cases that tested positive by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego as of March 26, 2020, which will be included in the DPHSS overall count:
49 positive cases confirmed by DPHSS Guam Public Health Laboratory
2 positive cases confirmed by the NHRC in San Diego
All 50 remaining cases tested by the DPHSS Guam Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) and NHRC are in isolation.
For the latest information on the number of COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the Guam Homeland Security’s website here.
GHURA Evictions Suspended
Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority (GHURA) offices are closed until further notice. GHURA will NOT be evicting Public Housing residents who are not able to pay their rent at this time. Assisted families in the Public Housing and Section 8 programs currently have the ability to report decreases in income. When GHURA resumes normal operations, renters can report their loss of income and GHURA can adjust the family share of the rent and grant hardship exemptions consistent with applicable regulations and GHURA policies.
HUD encourages Public Housing Agencies (GHURA) and owners to prevent the displacement of families through eviction which significantly increases the risk of homelessness and overcrowding. GHURA encourages owners to assist in preventing the displacement of families by suspending evictions for nonpayment.
Judiciary Extends Closure
The Supreme Court of Guam issued Administrative Order (ADM 20-214) on Friday, March 27, 2020, extending the closure of non-essential Court Operations and tolling time limitations to April 15, 2020 under exigent circumstances related to COVID-19. Notably, the Administrative Order suspends all criminal and civil trials without exception until April 15 and tolls all filing deadlines — including statutory deadlines — from the effective date of the Order (March 27) to April 15. Any court filing due during this period shall be deemed timely if filed when the Court opens for regular business on April 15.
Additionally, the Order provides that the time for this extended closure shall be excluded from speedy trial computations and that the time periods for a preliminary examination and for the filing of an indictment are tolled for this period as well.
Announcements and public notices regarding the Judiciary of Guam related to COVID-19 can be found on the Judiciary’s website here and the Guam Bar Association’s website here .