Guam has recorded its highest number of Covid-19 cases in one day with 105 people testing positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.
The results are less than 24 hours after the island suffered its sixth Covid-related death.
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero announces spike in cases and subsequent restrictions Photo: Governor's Office
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said 28 percent of the US Territory's total confirmed cases were recorded in the last two weeks alone.
She said there were indications that 20 percent of those cases will end up in the hospital, which is already reaching its capacity.
As a result Guerrero announced further restrictions to the public.
"All businesses will be closed with the exception of grocery stores, health care operations, including pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, hardware stores, and those operations critical to health, shelter, and the preservation of life."
The governor said she hoped the escalation of restrictions would last only a week, long enough to flatten the current curve.
She encouraged the community to remain vigilant.
"We cannot become comfortable, and we cannot surrender to complacency. We are not invincible. No matter how young, healthy, and active you are, you are still at risk-and you are putting others at risk too."
The governor warned there would be good days and bad days and the battle with the coronavius was a long term one.
"While there may be a vocal minority advocating against these measures, I know the people of Guam are not prepared to take even greater risk."
Lou Leon Guerrero recently tested positive for Covid-19 herself, along with her lieutenant Joshua Tenorio.
Both had been working from home.
