News Releases

HONOLULU — Although a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration is not expected to be widely available until early next year, state and county officials and private-sector partners have already prepared a preliminary plan to implement a COVID-19 vaccination program in the state. More than 150 stakeholders representing more than 90 organizations gathered late yesterday to kick off their vaccination work groups. The vaccination plan, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is intended to reduce COVID‐19‐related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. “Epidemiologists who study immunity say at [...]

Drive-thru testing clinic will be held on Oct. 24 HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Maui District Health Office (MDHO) has confirmed four cases of COVID-19 in residents on the island of Lāna‘i. MDHO was notified of the positive test results today and is actively performing contact tracing and investigation of the cases. Initial findings have determined that one of the four cases may be associated with recent travel. Three of the cases work at the same location and have symptoms. The fourth case is a healthcare worker who does not provide direct patient care. All four cases are [...]

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health released updated guidance to elementary, middle and high schools today to help school administrators make decisions to safely transition between different models of learning — virtual classes, traditional classroom learning, or a combination of at-home learning and in-person learning. The guidance is available on the Department of Health’s website at: https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/school-guidance/. “The core considerations for schools, the measures schools must take to prevent spread of disease, have not changed and remain the most important part of any school’s preparations to open for in-person learning and their response to COVID-19,” said Dr. Sarah Kemble, [...]

HONOLULU - Although Halloween traditions in Hawai‘i may look different this year, there are still many ways families can have fun while avoiding the scare of being exposed to or spreading the virus. This Halloween, the Hawai‘i Department of Health recommends celebrating with your household members at home and avoiding traditional door-to-door trick or treating where treats are handed to children or children take candy from a shared bucket. These are high-risk activities as they can result in close contact and crowding among people outside your household. “It’s more important than ever to put safety first,” said Health Director [...]

HONOLULU – Eleven COVID-19 deaths on O‘ahu are being reported by the state today with eight of the deaths occurring between August 15 – Sept. 15, 2020.  Eight of the deaths were recently validated and classified as those records became available. COVID-19 deaths are officially reported as records are obtained, reviewed, validated, and the deaths are classified for state and national reporting. 3 men, 50-59 yrs., underlying conditions, hospitalized 1 man, 70-79 yrs., underlying conditions, hospitalized 1 man, 80+ yrs., underlying conditions, died at home 3 men, 80+ yrs., underlying conditions, hospitalized 1 woman, 60-69 yrs., underlying conditions, hospitalized [...]

HONOLULU -- Hawai‘i State Hospital in Kaneohe has reported that one patient and three staff members within the hospital’s admissions unit have tested positive for COVID-19. After the first staff member tested positive last week, the hospital immediately activated its standard protocol to test all of its staff and patients within the hospital’s admissions unit. As a result of the protocol, two other staff members were identified as positive. The three staff members are now in isolation and not working at the hospital. The hospital continued to test staff and patients over the next several days and, as a [...]

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health is administering $14 million to provide more than 200 additional nurses and other specialists for hospitals statewide over the next four months. Some of the out-of-state personnel will begin arriving this weekend. Gov. Ige approved the award of funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund earlier this week. The funding, provided through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will provide vital healthcare capacity. The Department of Health, in collaboration with the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i, contracted ProLink Healthcare, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based healthcare staffing company, to provide specialized personnel for [...]

HONOLULU – Two reports detailing in-depth assessments of conditions and protocols at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home (YOSVH) in Hilo, have been developed. The assessments were conducted separately by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA). The VA and HI-EMA assessment reports are attached with this release. The Dept. of Health’s (DOH) Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA) is preparing a report on its inspection of infection control measures based on State and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services standards and requirements. The OHCA inspection report is still undergoing internal review [...]

Online Submissions Available Starting Tomorrow HONOLULU – In an effort to make the quarantine exemption process easier and more efficient, the State Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS), developed a new web-based form which goes live on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. Previously those seeking exemptions, such as critical medical or infrastructure workers had to communicate with, and provide information to, the State via emails. The new online form and submission system will mean more efficient interactions with exemption seekers, better data gathering and access for decision makers. Currently, exempt travelers will still have to provide an email approval documenting exempt [...]

Federal & State Assessments of Facility Near Completion  HONOLULU – Twelve deaths among residents of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo have been confirmed and added to the state’s reported COVID-19 related deaths today. These deaths include 11 men and one (1) woman, all in the 70 to 80-year-old age group and with underlying health conditions. Ten of the residents passed away at the home and two others were hospitalized. Reporting on these deaths was delayed due to pending medical reports required for verification and classification of deaths as COVID-19. In total, there are now 15 deaths [...]