33-Year-Old Man Without COVID-19 Booster Shot Dies Hours After Testing Positive

KEY POINTS

The man had underlying health conditions, authorities said
He was pronounced dead on arrival at Guam Regional Medical City
Thirty nine COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Guam as of Thursday

A 33-year-old man, who was reportedly vaccinated but did not have a booster day, died the same day he tested positive for COVID-19 in Guam.

The unidentified man became Guam's 321st COVID-related fatality, authorities said Thursday. The man, who had underlying health conditions, was pronounced dead on arrival at Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) on Feb. 8, Post Guam reported. Authorities did not reveal the exact health condition the man was suffering.

“While we have made so much progress in this pandemic. With each loss, we are reminded that our fight with this virus continues,” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a news release. “To his family and loved ones, we grieve with you and extend our prayers and sympathies during this difficult time.”

The island's Joint Information Center said 39 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, of which four were under intensive care as of Thursday. Those hospitalized included one child. One person was also on a ventilator. There were 26 people at Guam Memorial Hospital and 13 people at GRMC. Twenty-seven of the 39 patients were vaccinated, while 12 weren’t.

Meanwhile, a 71-year-old unvaccinated woman became the 322nd COVID-related fatality on Feb. 25. The woman, who had underlying health conditions, was pronounced dead on arrival at Guam Memorial Hospital. The victim has not been identified.

“Although we are beginning a slow and gradual relaxing of restrictions, we are not yet free from this pandemic," Guerrero said in the news release, according to Pacific Daily News. "Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands, watch your distance, and get vaccinated and boosted. Together, we will beat this virus.”

The Department of Public Health and Social Services reported 276 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday from 779 specimens, including 39 cases from the Department of Defense. There have been a total of 43,836 cases of COVID-19, with 3,463 active cases.

Authorities have urged everyone to get vaccinated to fight the COVID-19 virus. With the Omicron variant being detected, people eligible for the booster shot were urged to take it. Several countries across the globe saw a spike in COVID-19 cases after the Omicron variant was found.