Low CAR score needed for next 2 weeks to lift COVID-19 restrictions. What is it?

If Guam continues to have a low COVID Area Risk score for the next two weeks, the governor is expected to lift some of the current restrictions, according to Adelup.

The administration tracks the severity of the pandemic using the COVID Area Risk Score, or CAR Score, which takes into account the incidence of new cases, the effectiveness of testing and the rate of spread.

On Monday, the CAR score was 4.2.

"Now that we’ve achieved a CAR Score of below five, the messaging really shifts to maintenance. We have to maintain a low CAR Score for a minimum of two weeks before Gov. Leon Guerrero will consider lifting additional restrictions," Adelup spokeswoman Krystal Paco-San Agustin said.

The administration is also closely monitoring daily cases, especially because the island has yet to see the effects of the Thanksgiving holiday, she said. 

Leon Guerrero last month said she might ease social distancing requirements around Christmas if the island sees fewer cases of COVID-19 and the CAR score goes below 5. 

Social gatherings of more than five people currently are prohibited.

More: Detailed weekly COVID-19 report to be launched

CAR score has been decreasing

Guam's CAR score has gone from highs of 41.5 last month, when there were more than 100 new positive COVID-19 cases, to now below 5.

Since the administration starting using the CAR score last month, Guam has slowly seen the score decrease over the weeks.

Does a low score mean COVID has been fully suppressed?

Leon Guerrero last month said even if Guam's CAR score is below 5 it doesn't mean the island is out of the woods.

To fully suppress COVID-19, we will need to be below a score of 2.5, like we were for a majority of summer, she said.

"We all want to go back to normal. But we must be able to demonstrate with concrete actions that: We are responsible. We are accountable. We are willing to contribute to this fight," she said.

Others are reading: Daily COVID-19 testing starts Monday across the island

The administration has asked the community to Strive for Five, to maintain a CAR score of 5 or under and strive for several weeks.

"We do this by wearing our masks, watching our distance, washing our hands, and having the will to do it," Leon Guerrero said. 

This article originally appeared on Pacific Daily News: Low CAR score needed for next 2 weeks to lift COVID-19 restrictions. What is it?