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Government officials on Guam reported 63 new coronavirus cases Friday, bringing the total number recorded on the U.S. island territory to 767, with six deaths.

Friday’s tally, reported at 6:15 p.m. by the Guam governor’s office, includes seven new patients described as “military service members,” without providing further details about their service branch or status.

To date, 133 U.S. troops on Guam have become infected with the virus, not counting the approximately 1,150 sickened crewmembers of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which docked on the island for two months because of an onboard outbreak.

On Thursday, Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base increased their health-alert levels from “moderate” to “substantial” because of an upswing in coronavirus cases on the island.

Guam, which reported 105 fresh infections and its sixth coronavirus death Thursday, has been under “Pandemic Condition of Readiness 1” since Sunday.

The condition, which is set to expire Aug. 30, shutters nonessential businesses; forces schools to shift to virtual instruction; prohibits public gatherings, including religious services; and closes parks and beaches to everyone except those are exercising alone.

news@stripes.com

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