Update on COVID-19 case investigations
Risk Factors Yesterday, there were 158 adult cases and 16 children. Today, there are 129 adult cases and 5 children. Child cases are household contacts of adult cases, indicating the virus is spreading within households. Based on the information available today for today’s new cases, 105 cases were exposed by community spread, 23 are unknown sources, and 7 cases have a travel-related exposure, which means they likely obtained the disease while outside of the state or their county of residence. Of all cases since March, 93% are Hawaii residents and 2% are non-residents from other states or countries, information [...]
Department of Health launches research-based social norms campaign
HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) launched the first phase of a new statewide educational campaign today as part of a comprehensive, multi-pronged solution to address the sustained number of COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i. The “Not Taking Chances” campaign, developed with research, creative and production support from Anthology Marketing Group, aims to change social norms by modeling attitudes and behaviors to underscore the importance of wearing facial masks and avoiding groups and social gatherings. “Prevention is key to bringing the number of cases down,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson, noting that disease investigation, contact tracing, testing and [...]
COVID-19 cases reach new one day record of 355 infections
Death Toll Rises to 40 HONOLULU – Two O‘ahu men, both over 60-years-old are the latest victims of COVID-19. And today, DOH reports at least 86 new diagnosed cases of coronavirus are part of an existing cluster at the O‘ahu Community Correctional Facility (OCCC). Health investigators say at least 116 cases are attributable to OCCC, with 24 staff and 92 inmates having tested positive for COVID-19. The 86 cases are part of the 355 newly diagnosed cases today; the record single day case count since the beginning of the pandemic. The State and City & County of Honolulu are [...]
Iwilei homeless shelter to be temporary isolation and quarantine site as part of Behavioral Health and Homeless Statewide Unified Response Group
HONOLULU – As a way to step up efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and lower the number of rising cases, the Behavioral Health and Homeless Statewide Unified Response Group, composed of state, city, and nonprofit agencies, is taking swift, decisive action to intervene. I.H.S, The Institute for Human Services Sumner Men’s Shelter in Iwilei is being temporarily established as a quarantine and isolation facility after 7 new cases were identified through the latest round of testing. The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH), the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, The City and County of Honolulu and the Institute of [...]
Multiple clusters continue spread of COVID-19
Death Toll Rises to 38 HONOLULU – Community spread of the coronavirus, particularly on O‘ahu, continues to be the primary cause of new infections. Today, of the 202 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19, 197 are on O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i each had two (2) additional cases, while Maui reported one (1). There are multiple clusters of infections, including five (5) distinct restaurant clusters; however, each involves a few employees at single locations, and no transmission to customers has been identified at this time. An employee potluck at Honolulu Hale is a potential transmission source for 11 cases of [...]
Honolulu woman’s powerful story of surviving COVID-19
HONOLULU – There was a time, in the spring, when Sarah Bolles of Salt Lake thought she was going to die. Diagnosed in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic she credits excellent health care, her faith, and the support of her family for her survival. It was definitely touch and go, and in a recent interview she reflected on just how close she was to death’s door, her struggle to overcome the insidious coronavirus, and now six months later, her continuing physical and emotional struggles. Sarah is not sure how she was infected, but she thinks it was probably [...]
Health investigators seek close contacts at Honolulu gentleman’s club
One More Fatality & Another Record Daily Count of 231HONOLULU – An employee of a Honolulu gentleman’s club, who was sick, worked at a different club than the one originally identified by the Hawai‘i Dept. of Health. The clarification about the identification of the club came into DOH leadership after-hours on Friday and the department regrets the error. DOH is attempting to identify the club where the worker danced on July 25 as health investigators have been unable to identify all close contacts who potentially could have been exposed to COVID-19.State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said, “Given that people may [...]
Daily Hawai‘i COVID-19 cases exceeds 200 for the first time
Death Toll Rises to 31 After Passing of Two O‘ahu Men HONOLULU – All but one (1) of the 201 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases, reported by the Dept. of Health (DOH) today, is from O‘ahu. Maui has a single new case. Health Director Bruce Anderson said, “Unfortunately, projections for increases in COVID case and ICU bed utilization are being realized.” Many of the Intensive Care Units on O‘ahu are full or close to full and hospitals are surging, transferring patients, and opening new units to handle new patients. ICU bed use on the Neighbor Islands has not changed significantly [...]
Hawai‘i celebrities share COVID-19 safety messages in PSA series
HONOLULU – With COVID-19 infections seeing large spikes on O‘ahu, some of Hawai‘i’s best- known musicians and artists are sharing “mask wearing” messages, particularly with younger audiences who may be disinclined to consistently adhere to safe practices. Produced by the Hawai‘i Department of Defense, the public service announcements feature the ladies of the Hawaiian musical group Na Waiho‘olu‘u o ke Anuenue, Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and Hawaiian artist Brook Parker. All of the participants were very excited to participate in this campaign because they are going through the pandemic too. The themes and messages in [...]
Two More COVID-19 Deaths in Hawai‘i Again Highlight Insidious Nature of Coronavirus
HONOLULU – Two O‘ahu residents are the 28th and 29th casualties of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. An elderly female, with underlying medical conditions, had been a resident at a Pearl City nursing home, but then was hospitalized. An elderly man, also with underlying health issues, was also in the hospital when he died. State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said, “The passing of this man really demonstrates how rapidly and invisibly COVID-19 is spreading through our communities, particularly on O‘ahu and particularly associated with clusters. A close contact of this individual attended a spin class at a gym taught by a [...]