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* No MERS on Guam, a Korean Visitor Caused Fear Though.4
http://www.hsvg.org/ Guahan Global Foundation
Guahan Global Foundation P.O. Box 206, Hagatna, GU 96932, USA
(November 15, 2024)Urge worldwide action to save the Pacific Lots of evidence recently suggested that islanders’ voices on climate action have finally been heard and brought to the global stage. We look forward to seeing leaders, experts, and activists from the Pacific community move further at the 29th United Nations Climate Conference, commonly referred to as COP29 and now happening in Azerbaijan, to facilitate more significant worldwide climate action to protect those on the frontlines.   Many people must have noticed that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a rare appearance at the opening of 2024 Pacific Islands Forum in August. According to UN’s press release, he declared in the opening remarks that “plastic pollution is chocking sealife. Greenhouse gases are causing ocean heating, acidification and rising seas. But Pacific islanders are showing the way to protect our climate, our planet and our ocean.”   Mr. Guterres stressed that the region urgently needs more financial support, capacities and technology to speed up the transition to clean energy and so countries can invest in adaption and resilience.   He also added, while the Pacific region is doing what it can, the Group of 20 (G20) most industrialized nations – the biggest emitters of carbon – must step up and lead by phasing the production and consumption of fossil fuels and stopping their expansion immediately.   “If we save the Pacific, we save the world,” the UN chief said.   The UN also released two reports on the sidelines of the forum. A regional report compiled by the World Meteorological Organization showed sea-surface temperatures in the south-west Pacific have risen three times faster than the global average since 1980. It also found that marine heatwaves in the region had roughly doubled in frequency since 1980 and become more intense and longer-lasting.   In addition, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in 2021 that the global mean sea level was rising at rates unprecedented in at least the last 3,000 years as a result of human-induced global warming. And, the new UN report titled “Surging Seas in a Warming World” indicated “emerging research on climate ‘tipping points’ and ice sheet dynamics is raising alarm among scientists that future sea-level rise could be much larger and occur sooner than previously thought.”   The Pacific Islands Forum leaders eventually issued an official communique that emphasized “climate change continues to be a matter of priority to the Pacific region” and recognized “sea level rise is a sever manifestation of climate change that threatens Pacific communities.” Accordingly, leaders agreed to elevate the issue of sea level rise “politically,” including at the UN General Assembly.   2024 UN General Assembly in September literally arranged a high level plenary meeting on sea level rise. Leaders and experts recognized in the meeting that the existential threats, for example, livelihoods are destroyed, families gradually move, community cohesion is tested, and heritage is lost, are the hard realities many people in small island states and low-lying countries experience today, not the projections of a coming future. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres therefore called for a strong financial outcome at COP29 to cope with threats caused by sea level rise.   Regarding financial outcome at COP29, it is worth noticing that this year’s conference is actually being called the “finance COP.” Following the historic agreement of creating a loss and damage fund at COP27 to compensate climate-vulnerable countries, COP28 has officially launched the fund. The finer details will be figured out at COP29 before the money actually starts flowing to nations in need next year.   Countries will also need to agree with a new global climate finance goal, known as the New Collective Quantified Goal. In addition to its total figure, COP29 will see discussion on several important terms of the NCQG, including who the donor base and recipients will be, how much will come from public and private sources, and whether it will be in the form of grants or loans.   As a member of the Pacific community, our foundation certainly looks forward to a global financial mechanism helping all Pacific islands’ climate mitigation and adaptation. However, we, together with many climate experts, also want to remind the world that the Nationally Determined Contributions, which outlines how a country will curb emissions, must be renewed every five years under Paris Agreement and the next round due is February 2025. So, COP29 is a crucial moment for countries to raise the bar and hold each other to account.   Nonprofit organization Climate Group also declared at its Climate Week NYC, taking place during the UN General Assembly in September, that the urgent and concrete action is needed to address the emission gap between what scientists say is needed to avoid disastrous climate change and what governments and business are delivered. They therefore called for governments, businesses, and the global climate community to focus on bolder annual to-do lists of climate action.   Their first Global To-Do List that governments and businesses can start taking action to drive results in the next twelve months consists of seven items including support workers to power down coal, unleash renewables, ban relining of coal-based steel furnaces, get serious on methane, stop ignoring energy efficiency, buy clean, and tax fossil fuels to fund the transition.   The UN chief Antonio Guterres actually also warned at the Pacific Islands Forum that the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – built around the 17 goals or SDGs – “is faltering.” Climate Group also reminded the world that we have Net Zero carbon emissions milestone to be accomplished by 2050 as well. The representatives of Pacific islands must make sure that COP29 focuses on what the whole world needs to do right now to get on track.   http://www.hsvg.org/hot_503561.html *Urge worldwide action to save the Pacific 2024-11-17 2025-11-17
Guahan Global Foundation P.O. Box 206, Hagatna, GU 96932, USA http://www.hsvg.org/hot_503561.html
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(June 17, 2015)

A red flag went up at Guam International Airport on June 12 when a visitor from South Korea tried to board a Jeju Airlines flight back to Korea. The South Korea government placed him on a watch list because he was treated for a broken finger at a hospital in South Korea where they were treating a MERS patients.

 

It's unclear how the Korean man was allowed to board a plane to Guam despite being on the watch list. Shortly after 11 p.m., CDC officials contacted local health officials regarding the tourist. Guam's pandemic alert systems went into place immediately. He and his family were contained, and doctors confirmed he does not have the virus.

 

Please refer to the press release from the Governor of Guam below:

UPDATE: No MERS here. Enjoy this sunny day in good health.

A release from the Governor of Guam w Contact Julius Santos at 475-9379 or Julius.Santos@Guam.gov

 

There are no cases of MERS on Guam.

Those spreading false information should be taken to task for causing panic and fear among families and tourists. There was one man, a visitor from South Korea, who​ was checked and does not have MERS. A red flag went up yesterday when he tried to board a Jeju Airlines flight back to Korea. The island's pandemic alert systems went into place immediately, he and his family were contained, and doctors confirmed he does not have the virus.

 

As a precaution, doctors are watching this man in quarantine. His family went back to Korea. The man has no symptoms. He is contained, doesn't even have a cold, isn't coughing or sneezing, has no fever, and IS NOT contagious. There is no danger of public exposure.

 

The government of Guam and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control are working together out of an abundance of caution to keep the people of Guam and all her visitors safe and healthy.​

The South Korea government placed him on a watch list because he was treated for a broken finger at a hospital in South Korea where they were treating a MERS patients.

 

Public Health officials on Guam are working with Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Hawaii, Atlanta and South Korea. Shortly after 11 p.m. yesterday, CDC officials contacted local health officials regarding the tourist. They want to confirm his proximity to the MERS patients at the South Korea hospital where he was treated as an outpatient.

 

It is important to note that these measures are precautionary and that NO case of the virus has been reported on island.

 

What you can do to help keep you and your family safe

 

The public is urged to practice routine precautions that help prevent the spread of any type of respiratory illness, including MERS-CoV:

Wash your hands often with soap and water, and help young children do the same;

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash;

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;

Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, or sharing cups or eating utensils, with sick people; and

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.

 

When Should Someone See a Health Care Provider?

 

You should see a healthcare provider if you develop a fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula or South Korea.  Make sure to tell the healthcare provider about your recent travel.

 

vvvvvEnd of Releasevvvvv

 

Related news:

Guam airport Ready for MERS: Agency says it's following CDC guidelines

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2015/06/15/guam-airport-ready-for-mers-agency-says-its-following-cdc-guidelines-0616/71242380/