Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 1, 2020

Office of the Governor:

Small Business Administration Details Paycheck Protection Program

Jane Sawyer, the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined Gov. Ige today during his daily media teleconference to provide more details on the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program. It’s part of the “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (also known as CARES Act). This program gives small businesses access to short-term cash flow assistance aimed at helping businesses deal with the immediate global impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans are made by approved lenders, certified by the SBA and are guaranteed by the federal government.

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

Department of Health:

First COVID-19 Death Possibly Travel-Related

The first death from COVID-19 has been confirmed as an older adult O‘ahu resident who had recently traveled from Las Vegas. DOH reports 34 new COVID-19 cases today — one is a minor and 33 are adults. The majority of cases are residents (26), one (1) is a visitor and seven (7) are unknown and pending investigation. There are now a total of 258 presumptive or confirmed cases in the state.

Community Surveillance testing has conducted roughly 380 tests to date on representative samples from every island with one (1) positive result on O‘ahu, reinforcing there is limited and localized community spread on O‘ahu.

LABORATORY TESTING DATA

Total Number of Individuals Tested

by Clinical and State Laboratories

Positive Negative
10,462 256 10,206

 HAWAI‘I COVID-19 COUNTS AS OF 12 NOON, APRIL 1, 2020

County of Diagnosis New Cases Reported since

2/28/2020

(including new cases)

Total Released from Isolation
Honolulu 25 182 49
Hawai‘i 3 18 6
Maui 1 26 11
Kaua‘i 0 12 3
Residents Diagnosed outside HI 0 2  
Pending investigation 5 18  
Total 34 258 69
       
Deaths 0 1  

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:

Arrival Numbers Up on First Day of Interisland Self-Quarantine Rules

Yesterday, 906 passengers arrived in Hawai‘i on the sixth day of the state’s 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for all incoming passengers. The chart below does not include interisland travel.

Kona Maui O‘ahu Līhu‘e

 

Total
Crew 13 26 169 15 223
Intended Resident 114 114
Resident 53 39 225 4 321
Transit 15 72 87
Visitor 24 13 120 4 161
Grand Total 90 93 700 23 906
Flights 6 7 21 4 38

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/4409/040120-passenger-count-press-release.pdf

Department of Transportation:

First Day of Interisland Travel Quarantine Order Described as Orderly

Few passengers and compliance led to smooth implementation of the self-quarantine rules for all interisland travelers. Arrival numbers are now down more than 98.5% from last March. It is anticipated to drop even more with fewer interisland passengers. All interisland travelers are required to fill-out out a declaration form, which will be collected at a TSA checkpoint prior to their departure. This is different from domestic and international travelers who submit the form upon arrival in Hawai‘i. The form can also be filled out in advance and is available at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/

Passengers who are traveling for medical reasons for treatment or to see a specialist should also wear a mask and practice social distancing. If a patient does not have a mask, they can use a homemade mask, but even if they do not have one, they will not be denied on the flight. They can still travel and go to their appointment.

Essential workers while traveling through the airport and on the flight should wear a mask and social distance themselves. Essential workers while on another island for work need to quarantine themselves when not working. When they get home, they don’t need to quarantine themselves. Exemption inquiries and requests should be emailed to:

CovidExemption@hawaii.gov

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs:

Consumer Protection Office Provides Resources for Landlords and Tenants

Governor Ige’s recent emergency proclamations concerning the coronavirus, have invoked special legal requirements applicable to Landlords and Tenants in Hawai‘i. The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is providing answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) to assist homeowners and renters with inquiries regarding the Landlord-Tenant code. The guidance provided is current as of March 31, 2020 and may be subject to change per actions taken at the state and/or federal level. The FAQS along with more information regarding the Hawai‘i Landlord-Tenant code:

https://cca.hawaii.gov/ocp/landlordtenant/

https://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/release-state-provides-guidance-for-homeowners-and-renters/

Dept. of the Attorney General:

Scam Alert from the AG and Consumer Protection Office

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Clare E. Connors and Hawaiʻi Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Executive Director Stephen Levins are alerting Hawaiʻi residents about a wave of COVID-19 scams occurring as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic. These scams focus on all areas of consumer vulnerability in an attempt to capitalize on fear and rapidly changing developments.

It’s important that during this trying time, residents remain vigilant when online shopping, as well as in communications with those offering what seem to be too-good-to-be-true opportunities. For information regarding SCAM prevention, assistance, and up-to-date tips, please visit:

 

Department of Defense:

Hawai‘i National Guardsmen Ready for COVID-19 Response

The Hawai‘i National Guard has been partially activated and is standing ready to provide community support during the COVID-19 crisis. Airmen from the Air National Guard’s, Medical Detachment 1 are carrying out daily temperature screenings and health surveys for guardsmen on active duty. Their job is to make sure that guardsmen remain healthy for the duration of their deployments. Currently the guard is doing planning and logistics in support of the state and is prepared to take on any tasks as assigned by the governor.

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6157625/activated-hawaii-national-guardsmen-ready-covid-19-response

State Foundation on Arts and Culture

Stress Relief!

When times are difficult, we often turn to music, read a book or engage in the arts.  Participating in creative activities is a way to find meaning in difficult times. The Arts affirm life. The State Foundation on Arts and Culture has compiled a curated list of various arts experiences, available online for all ages and abilities. The list includes links to online performances by Hawai‘i arts and culture organizations, lesson plans and activity guides for educators, and coloring pages. This list will be updated as more resources become available.

https://sfca.hawaii.gov/artsed-resources/

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PDF: COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 1, 2020

Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest March 30, 2020

Office of the Governor:

Inter-island Travel Now Requires 14-Day Self-Quarantine

During today’s news briefing, Governor Ige announced that anyone traveling between islands will now be required to self-quarantine in their home or other lodging for 14 days. This does not apply to those who are considered essential workers, but they are required to wear personal protective equipment during flights. This mandatory rule takes effect at midnight, Wednesday, April 1 and continues until April 30. It is intended to further stop community spread of the coronavirus in Hawai‘i. The governor reiterated his top priority is the health and safety of Hawai‘i’s people and said it is “more important than ever to continue to practice social distancing. We cannot let our guard down.”

Hawai‘i to Receive at Least $4 Billion in Federal Aid Under CARES Act

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (by phone) and Congressman Ed Case joined Governor Ige for today’s briefing to announce the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will provide a minimum of $4 billion to Hawai‘i. Among the benefits provided by the infusion of funding are increased unemployment payments and a whole host of other benefits to bolster businesses and individuals suffering economically during the crisis. Additional federal aid is expected in the future.

https://www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-set-to-receive-at-least-4-billion-in-federal-coronavirus-relief-funding-additional-federal-aid-expected

Governor Ige Issues Executive Order Suspending Certain State Laws During Crisis

On Sunday, Governor Ige signed Executive Order No. 20-02, which suspends certain state laws in order for county and state agencies to engage in emergency management functions. This suspension applies to:

  • firearms registrations
  • wages and hours for government contractors
  • charter school rules
  • controlled substances registrations & dispensing
  • child-care licensing
  • criminal history record checks
  • tele-health
  • notary publics
  • sex offender registrations
  • certain employment and workers compensation laws

Governor Ige’s Executive Order No. 20-02 March 29, 2020


Office of the Lt. Governor:

Update from Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, State Healthcare Liaison for COVID-19

Lt. Gov. Green continues to work with Governor David Ige, General Kenneth Hara and the healthcare community to evaluate Hawai‘i’s healthcare capacity and prepare for any possible surge in COVID-19 cases and individuals needing hospitalization.

Updated hospital capacity as of March 30, 2020: 

Number of OHCA licensed beds 2,757
Number of ICU beds 338
Number of ventilators 534
Number of beds excluding ICU beds 2,419
Number of beds occupied-32% 893
Number of ICU beds occupied-37% 126
Number of ventilators in use-11% 58
Source: Healthcare Association of Hawaii

____________________________________________________________________________

Department of Health:

Total Number of COVID-19 Cases Increases by 29

DOH reports 29 positive test results today for a total number of 204 cases in Hawai‘i since Feb. 28. One (1) of today’s cases is a pediatric patient and the remainder are adults (28).

HAWAI‘I COVID-19 COUNTS

(As of 12 noon, March 30, 2020)

All of the new cases are residents of the state, from the following counties:

City and County of Honolulu: 15
County of Hawai‘i: 2
County of Maui: 5
County of Kaua‘i 0
Pending (county of diagnosis or residency under investigation) 7

Some counts may be higher because of cases previously classified “unknown” being re-classified to other categories. Pending/unknown information will continue to be reconciled as DOH completes investigations.

In total, of all cases reported to-date, 175 are Hawai‘i residents, twenty (20) are non-residents, and place of residence for nine (9) people is unknown.

TESTS BY CLINICAL LABORATORIES AND STATE LAB (As of 12 noon, March 30, 2020)

Inconclusive Neg Pos. Totals
Clinical Laboratories 7 8080 186 8273
Div. of State Laboratories 0 389 13 402
Hawai‘i Totals 7 8469 199 8675

* If a person was tested both by clinical labs and SLD, the test by clinical labs will be included
while the test by SLD will be removed DOH can capture “Unique Individuals.”
The table uses investigations generated through electronic laboratory reports .  It does not include non-electronic lab reports.

https://dohvid19.wpengine.com


Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:

Airline Arrivals Continue to Drop

The number of passengers flying into Hawai‘i continues to drop in light of the state’s 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for all incoming passengers. Sunday, the fourth day of the rule, saw 826 people arriving at State airports. Compared to March 2019, on average more than 30,000 people arrived in the state each day.

Hawai‘i Airport Arrivals-Sunday, March 29, 2020

Passenger Type Kona Maui O‘ahu Līhuʻe Total
Crew 26 42 151 10 229
Intended Resident 34 34
Resident 35 21 262 7 325
Transit 71 71
Visitor 12 11 144 167
Grand Total 73 74 662 17 826
Flights 7 10 28 2 47

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/news-releases/2020/hawaii-passenger-arrivals-by-air-4/


Department of Transportation:

No Stopping Allowed for Arriving Passengers

The DOT is reiterating that self-quarantined arriving passengers are not allowed to stop off anywhere, including grocery or big box stores before going home or to their lodging. There are numerous services available that will deliver groceries to people in self-quarantine.


Hawai‘i Community Development Authority:

Kolowalu Parks Closed

The HCDA has closed its Kolowalu Parks on Queen Street in Honolulu to facilitate social distancing and reduce the risk of the potential spread of COVID-19. The parks will be reopened once the novel coronavirus is no longer a threat.

____________________________________________________________________________

Department of Human Services:

Aggressive Actions Underway to Protect People and Families

DHS’s leadership and community stakeholders are working to ensure that all services of the agency are continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, though with modifications. Like all state agencies and many businesses this mean limiting face-to-face contact with people, especially those vulnerable to the novel corona virus. The operational modifications impact programs like:

  • Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Kupuna services
  • Child-care facilities and homes
  • Child welfare
  • Adult protective services
  • Health care coverage
  • Support for people with disabilities
  • Support for the houseless population.

https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/blog/department-of-human-services-works-to-protect-and-continue-benefits-and-services-during-the-covid-19-crisis/


Department of Education:

Grab-and-Go Program Ensuring Keiki are Fed

In the first week of Grab-and-Go school meal distribution, nearly 16,000 breakfasts & 30,000 lunches were served to children at 38 school sites (not including the Kuhio Day holiday). Eight more school distribution sites are starting this week, increasing the total number of school sites to 46 on Wednesday, and more locations are being planned. The sites provide meals to all children 18 and younger. They do not have to attend the school site location but must be present to receive meals.

See details and locations at:

https://bit.ly/2UsONM0


PDF: COVID-19 Daily Digest March 30, 2020

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