HONOLULU – Gov. Ige today signed a 7th Supplementary Emergency Proclamation(PDF) that authorizes the first group of businesses to re-open since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the temporary closure of non-essential businesses across the state on Mar. 25.
The latest proclamation also allows residents to leave their homes to patronize certain businesses and activities under the new “Safer-at-Home” order.
Under Phase 1 of the state’s re-opening, the following businesses and operations can re-open starting May 7, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. However, everyone is advised to check the restrictions in place in each county, as they may differ.
Agriculture (non-food), such as landscape, ornamental plant growers, and nurseries
Auto Dealerships
Car Washes
Childcare services, licensed or authorized under the law
Pet Grooming Services
Observatories & Support Facilities
Retail & Repair Services, such as apparel, florists, watch & surfboard repair (Note: retail does not re-open in City & County of Honolulu until May 15, and retail & most repair will not re-open in Maui county.)
Shopping Malls – limited to retail and repair services (Note: shopping malls are not reopening in Maui county.)
“This stabilization phase allows for a reduction in restrictions for businesses classified as low-risk from a health perspective. An important consideration was the ability of the businesses to keep both employees and customers safe, and their ability to follow social distancing guidelines,” said Gov. Ige.
The 7th Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, EXHIBIT G, lists the businesses/operations designated for re-opening, and outlines specific safety guidelines for each. It also includes county-specific requirements. For example, retail businesses on Oʻahu may not open until May 15, 2020, and Maui County will not allow retail, most repair shops and malls to reopen at this time.
These businesses/operations are required to follow the social distancing requirements in the 7th Supplementary Emergency Proclamation. They also are encouraged to follow the applicable guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Generally, this means they must implement physical distancing requirements such as capacity limits and ensuring 6 feet or more between individuals using floor markings and signage; limit in-person work when possible; reduce the number of high-touch surfaces and objects as much as possible; reconfigure workplace to enable physical distancing if possible; communicate health and safety protocols to all employees, customers and visitors.
Gov. Ige issued the initial emergency proclamation for COVID-19 on Mar. 4, 2020 followed by:
Mar. 16: Supplementary proclamation suspending certain laws to enable state and county responses to COVID-19.
Mar. 21: Second supplementary proclamation implementing mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for visitors and residents entering the State of Hawai‘i.
Mar. 23: Third supplementary proclamation ordering stay at home/work from home and mandating social distancing measures throughout the state.
Mar. 31: Fourth supplementary proclamation implementing a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for people traveling between the islands in the State of Hawai‘i.
Apr. 16: Fifth supplementary proclamation implementing enhanced social distancing requirements and an eviction moratorium.
Apr. 25: Sixth supplementary proclamation extending emergency disaster period through May 31 – including stay-at-home order, quarantine and social distancing requirements.
At a late morning news briefing Governor David Ige announced that the phased approach to re-opening Hawai‘i’s economy is beginning. He said, “Today was another victory in the battle with COVID-19. Only four positive cases were reported. This makes more than two-weeks of single-digit daily new cases. We have some of the lowest numbers of cases in the country. And we have flattened the curve. The Governor’s 7th Supplementary Proclamation allows people to leave their homes to patronize certain businesses and activities. To reflect the new approach in the COVID-19 response, the Stay-at-Home order is now referred to as the Safer-at-Home order.
Achievement of Key Metrics Allows for Stabilization Phase
The governor has often repeated the key metrics Hawai‘i would need to see before re-opening the economy. A declining trend in COVID-19 cases, sufficient healthcare capacity (including enough in case of a surge), and a robust testing and contact tracing program, are the key metrics that have now been met. The Stabilization Phase (phase 1) allows for a reduction in restrictions for businesses classified as low risk from a health perspective. An important consideration was the ability of businesses to keep both employees and customers safe and their ability to follow social distancing guidelines.
Phase One Businesses/Activities That Can Re-Open Effective May 7 at 12:01 a.m.
Retail businesses & services (including apparel, electronics, and shopping malls)
Wholesale and warehousing operations
What’s Next?
The re-openings announced in the 7th Supplemental Proclamation are in addition to previously announced openings (florists, certain real estate services, car dealerships, automated & mobile service providers, services provided one-on-one, and golf courses) and Governor Ige expects to announce additions in the coming weeks. He explained, “We are looking at the timing and guidelines for re-opening businesses such as restaurants, personal services including hair stylists, and places of worship.” He said the health of our community continues to be the over-arching priority, so Hawai‘i does not experience a severe recurrence of coronavirus. If there is a second wave of COVID-19, some restrictions may be reinstated.
The Governor’s Continued Encouragement
Governor Ige said the re-openings are the result of community-wide vigilance and commitment to social distancing. He cautioned again, “We are not out of the woods yet. Keep up social distancing. Wash your hands and wear your masks. Keep in mind, that while we encourage people to patronize the newly re-opened businesses and activities, people are safest at home.
Department of Health:
Four New COVID-19 Cases Reported
Four additional cases of coronavirus being reported by DOH are all Honolulu adults, bringing the total positive case count in Hawai‘i to 625. Note the following: One county of diagnosis was re-categorized from Hawai‘i island to O‘ahu. One case’s residence changed from out-of-state to O‘ahu.
Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, May 5, 2020
Island of Diagnosis
New Cases
Reported since
2/28/2020
(including new cases)
Total Released from Isolation
O‘ahu
4
404
377
Hawai‘i
-1
74
62
Maui
0
114
90
Kaua‘i
0
21
20
Moloka‘i
0
2
2
Lana‘i
0
0
0
Residents Diagnosed outside HI
1
10
Unknown**
0
0
Total
4
625
Total released from isolation
551
Deaths
0
17
** Refers to positive cases that have an unknown county of diagnosis at the time of this report. As more information becomes available for these cases, they are assigned to the proper County of Diagnosis. A negative number indicates the number of previously unknown cases that have now been assigned to a county.
Laboratory* Testing Data
Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories
Positive
Negative
34,526**
623
33,883
*Electronic Laboratory Reporting **20 test results were inconclusive.
Hawai‘i’s airports are continuing to see an uptick in passenger arrivals. Yesterday, 845 passengers arrived in Hawai‘i. This includes 246 visitors and 310 residents. The following table shows passenger numbers coming into the state. The following table in the DBEDT section shows interisland travel.
Select Hawai‘i State Parks Re-Opening for Hiking and Beach Access But Not Gatherings
The DLNR Division of State Parks is re-opening select parks and monuments across the state with an emphasis on social distancing and exercise, and continued restrictions on gatherings of any sort. The announcement is in line with Governor Ige’s emergency rules, as well as advice from the Hawai‘i Dept. of Health.
DLNR Chair Suzanne Case commented, “The department is excited to cautiously reintroduce State Park access to Hawai‘i’s residents in this unprecedented time of virtually no out-of-state visitors. However, conventional park activities such as parties, gatherings, picnics, setting up on the beach, and camping are still not allowed. This public use is strictly for mobile activities such as hiking and ocean use to support our residents physical and emotional health during the stay at home mandate. For this reason, certain frequently visited parks and access to them remain closed.”
“It is critical that people honor this intent and follow all social distancing practices and park area closures to eliminate gathering. State Parks strongly encourages residents stay within their own ahupua’a and neighborhoods rather than traveling across an island to another community’s remote State Park. Revenue losses require that certain gates remain closed. Inappropriate behavior and changing public health circumstances may require that certain parks be closed again, such as what has recently occurred at some parks on the mainland,” added Curt Cottrell, DLNR Division of State Parks Administrator.
Governor Ige Expresses Condolences for Family & Friends of 17th Victim
Calling it “another reminder of how deadly this disease is, and the way that COVID-19 continues to hurt our community,” Governor Ige expressed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the latest Hawai‘i resident to fall victim to coronavirus. He said, “Nevertheless, things are getting better every day. The numbers continue to look very good. With only one new case announced today, we are confident that we have flattened the curve.” The governor indicated that testing capacity remains strong and hospital capacities are very manageable. This means, the governor said, “With these kinds of numbers we are looking to further ease restrictions and will continue our phased approach to re-opening our local economy.”
Continued Social Distancing, Sanitation & Safety Guidelines Remain Necessary
Governor Ige said with some non-essential businesses reopening (florists, certain real estate service, car dealership, automated and mobile service providers, golf courses, and services provided on a one-on-one basis), everyone must remain vigilant. He thanked everyone who has started patronizing these businesses and reminds us that all safety guidelines outlined in his emergency proclamation need to be followed, as a second wave of COVID-19 cases could mean some mandates may have to be reinstated.
Good Economic News
Characterizing the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP) as a critical lifeline for Hawai‘i’s small businesses, the governor said SBA is taking applications for a second round of forgivable loans. 11,500 companies and organizations have already received $2 billion from the program. Second round applications began last week and as of May 1, more than 7,700 additional small businesses in Hawai‘i have been approved for more than $400 million in forgivable loans.
Reopening UH
In addition to congratulating all high school seniors who are graduating, Governor Ige said many of them will choose the University of Hawai‘i for their undergraduate education. He called on UH President David Lassner to announce plans for the UH System.
University of Hawai‘i System:
UH Preparing for Safe Return to Campuses this Fall
At the governor’s news briefing today UH President Dr. David Lassner announced the university plans to resume in-person instruction for the fall 2020 semester on all 10 campuses. UH will deploy a COVID-19-aware approach to providing a safe, high-quality education for new and returning students, faculty and support staff as the semester begins as scheduled on Monday, August 24. “We all realize that the fall will absolutely not be a return to business as usual,” said Lassner in a message to the 10 campuses. “There is still great uncertainty but plans for the state are now taking shape and we have ourselves learned much over the last two months. Now, more than ever, the people of Hawaiʻi need the opportunity to affordably engage in higher education to advance their careers and their lives.” While planning for a modified on-campus education, UH is also preparing for a significant COVID-19 outbreak that may require one or more campuses to return to the online delivery of all courses. These plans are being informed by the abrupt transition to online instruction in spring 2020 experienced at UH and throughout the country. Read complete details here: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/05/04/uh-preparing-safe-fall-return/
Department of Health:
Only One New COVID-19 Case Reported
The single case of coronavirus being reported by DOH is a Hawai‘i island adult, bringing the total positive case count in Hawai‘i to 621. 558 of the cases are among Hawai‘i residents, 57 are non-residents and six have unknown residency at this time.
Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, May 4, 2020
Island of Diagnosis
New Cases
Reported since
2/28/2020
(including new cases)
Total Released from Isolation
O‘ahu
0
400
374
Hawai‘i
1
75
63
Maui
0
114
91
Kaua‘i
0
21
20
Moloka‘i
0
2
0
Lana‘i
0
0
0
Residents Diagnosed outside HI
0
9
Unknown**
0
0
Total
1
621
Total released from isolation
548
Deaths
0
17
** Refers to positive cases that have an unknown county of diagnosis at the time of this report. As more information becomes available for these cases, they are assigned to the proper County of Diagnosis. A negative number indicates the number of previously unknown cases that have now been assigned to a county.
Laboratory* Testing Data
Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories
Positive
Negative
33,357**
619
32,713
*Electronic Laboratory Reporting **25 test results were inconclusive.
DOH Highlights Importance of Children’s Mental Health Services
May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DOH and the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Planning Group are highlighting the importance of mental health services for children, youth, young adults, and their families. There will be a series of special events to build awareness for the need of these types of services. Activities this year follow the theme “Bringing Children’s Mental Health into Focus – Perfect Vision in 20/20.” Dr. Scott Shimabukuro, acting administrator for DOH Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division, said “Now more than ever, we recognize the importance of ensuring access to mental health services for our keiki. As a result of COVID-19, the youth and families of Hawai‘i are having to adapt to unprecedented social distancing measures, and many are struggling to cope with this new way of living. We want to remind families that our keiki’s mental wellness is as important as physical wellness, and to use the community resources that are available.” Learn more about events to commemorate National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month: https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/department-of-health-highlights-the-importance-of-childrens-mental-health-services-for-mental-health-awareness-month/
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:
Airports Seeing Upticks in Visitors
Over the weekend Hawai‘i’s airports saw more visitors arriving. On Friday visitor arrivals outstripped returning residents, 223 to 187. On Saturday, 315 residents returned to the state, along with 118 visitors. On Sunday a total of 759 people arrived in Hawai‘i, including 228 visitors and 268 residents. Visitors are people who do not have a Hawai‘i ID including essential health care workers, essential federal workers, former residents such as mainland college students coming to stay with family, military on temporary assignment, and leisure travelers.
Pacific Princess Cruise Ship Returns to Honolulu for Fuel and Provisions
HDOT reports the Pacific Princess cruise ship is scheduled to arrive at Honolulu Harbor tomorrow at 7 a.m. and depart at approximately 2 p.m. There are no passengers on the ship and no crew members will disembark in Honolulu. The ship stopped in Honolulu on April 13 to allow four O‘ahu residents to return home and complete their quarantines. Since then, the ship made stops in Los Angeles and Ensenada, Mexico. The ship is returning to Honolulu for fuel and provisions on its way to the Philippines where it will repatriate its crew. The ship’s leadership reports there are no health concerns, influenza like illness or respiratory issues with anyone on the ship. Cruise lines worldwide have extended their suspension of operations due to COVID-19. https://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/05/04/pacific-princess-cruise-ship-returns-to-honolulu-for-fuel-and-provisions/
For a list of cruise cancelations and anticipated sail dates:
Hawai‘i Island Man Arrested for Violation of Emergency Rules
35-year-old Jason Fujioka of Kea‘au was arrested on Saturday by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) after a private
company reported the theft of its 50-foot-long vessel Noa Noa. The boat was reported stolen from Kailua Bay at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. It was located traveling in the ocean in the vicinity of the Kona Airport. The vessel’s owner assisted by another private vessel were able to stop the Noa Noa. They detained the suspect and transited to Honokōhau State Small Boat Harbor where they were met by DOCARE officers. Fujioka was arrested and taken to the Kona Police Station for booking and processing. He’s being held pending setting of bail at $8,000. He faces charges of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree theft and violation of state emergency rules and orders. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/05/04/nr20-055/
179 Citations/Warnings Issued for Emergency Rules Violations
DOCARE is also reporting the numbers of citations and warnings issued for violations of emergency rules and orders and violations of DLNR Division of State Parks closed area rules. During the week of April 24-May 1, 2020 officers wrote 57 citations. Most were for the emergency orders and closed area violations, but there were also citations for violations of Kaho‘olawe unauthorized vessel rules, controlled substance violations and promotion of a detrimental drug. They issued 122 warnings; the majority of them for emergency rules violations or for entering a closed State Park.
HONOLULU – Hawai‘i is mourning the passing of another kupuna that may be associated with COVID-19 infection. Dept. of Health Director (DOH) Dr. Bruce Anderson said, “Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of another valued member of our community. COVID-19 is still a critical issue for everyone in Hawai‘i. Please follow social distancing guidelines and current emergency rules to help protect our most vulnerable people.”
DOH reports the 17th death is a woman, over 60-years-old, with underlying medical conditions. She had been in the hospital at Maui Memorial Medical Center since late February. Her infection occurred in mid-April. COVID-19 is not believed to be the primary cause of death, due to her other serious illnesses, but may have been a contributing factor to her passing.
With the state’s infection curve flattening, and single digit new COVID-19 cases being reported in the past few days, Anderson and other state leaders caution we must not let our guard down. He said, “With the pending reopening of businesses, we urge everyone to continue doing what they’ve been doing – stay at home, unless it’s necessary to go out, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and wear masks. For now, this is our new normal, in order to protect each other and prevent the spread of the disease.”
The single case of coronavirus being reported by DOH is an O‘ahu adult and brings the total positive case count in Hawai‘i to 619. The City and County of Honolulu has 400 of the cases reported since Feb. 28th.
Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, May 1, 2020
Island of Diagnosis
New Cases
Reported since
2/28/2020
(including new cases)
Total Released from Isolation
O‘ahu
1
400
368
Hawai‘i
0
73
60
Maui
0
114
84
Kaua‘i
0
21
20
Moloka‘i
0
2
0
Lana‘i
0
0
0
Residents Diagnosed outside HI
0
9
Unknown**
0
0
Total
1
619
Total released from isolation
532
Deaths
0
16
** Refers to positive cases that have an unknown county of diagnosis at the time of this report. As more information becomes available for these cases, they are assigned to the proper County of Diagnosis. A negative number indicates the number of previously unknown cases that have now been assigned to a county.
Laboratory* Testing Data
Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories
Positive
Negative
31,157**
617
30,519
*Electronic Laboratory Reporting **21 test results were inconclusive.
The DOH State Laboratories Division (SLD) has distributed a total of 12 Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid test instruments to all counties. The rapid coronavirus tests can produce results within 15 minutes when conducted in a certified laboratory. “Having this capability to test a critically ill patient within 15 minutes is a great tool in the fight against COVID-19,” said Dr. Edward Desmond, State Laboratories Division Administrator. “It helps us detect the virus quickly and respond much faster to help the patient and inform staff to ensure safety measures are in place.” Six instruments have been sent to county medical systems (two each to DOH District Health Office laboratories on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i) and six instruments to clinical laboratories and health systems on O‘ahu (two each to Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii, and Kaiser Permanente).
The Abbott instruments were provided at no cost to the state with federal funding from the International Reagent Resource (IRR). Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies that use of the rapid testing equipment be conducted on symptomatic patients. Requesting physicians will utilize the test kits based on priority symptoms and factors. Watch calibration of a rapid test instrument at SLD: https://vimeo.com/414129299
A California couple allegedly scoffed at Hawai‘i’s mandatory traveler self-quarantine mandate and were arrested yesterday by special agents from the Dept. of the Attorney General.
20-year-old Borice Leouskiy and 26-year-old Yuliia Andreichenko of Citrus Heights, CA, came to Hawai‘i on their honeymoon and entered a Waikiki-area hotel after 10 p.m. on Wednesday. Both were raised in the Ukraine and Andreichenko is a Ukranian National, while Leouskiy is a U.S. citizen. A front desk manager read them the requirements of the self-quarantine order. They reportedly said this contradicted what airport screeners told them. They also indicated they planned to visit friends and go to parks and beaches. The hotel manager reiterated the rules and said the couple scoffed at him and then left the hotel.
After midnight, they returned with a pizza and told the manager they were allowed to be outside and to buy food. They checked in and refused to sign the required quarantine acknowledgement. Yesterday morning, the hotel’s general manager was informed Leouskiy and Andreichenko had again left their room. When they came back, they were told again, they were in violation and again said their activities were permitted. AG Special Investigators were notified and arrested the couple. They are being charged under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes for unsworn falsification to authority and violation of the 14-day quarantine.
Attorney General Clare Connors noted, “We appreciate the vigilance and cooperation of the hotel staff, and staff at other hotels, in helping maintain the health and safety of visitors and residents. It is important that everyone flying into Hawai‘i at this time, abide by our mandatory rules. Law enforcement, in partnership with other state and county agencies and the travel industry are continuing to monitor compliance with the mandatory self-quarantine rule.”
Yesterday a total of 640 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 166 visitors and 196 residents. There was a total of 14 arriving flights. Yesterday marked five weeks since the state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started for all passengers arriving in Hawai‘i from out of state. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday, the next table shows interisland travel. Visitors are people who do not have a Hawai‘i ID including essential health care workers, essential federal workers, former residents such as mainland college students coming to stay with family, military on temporary assignment, and leisure travelers.
State Pays Out $87,521,534 in Unemployment Insurance Benefits
DLIR announced Friday that it distributed $87,521,534 in unemployment insurance benefits over the past week. $47,317,800 of that total represents the $600 bonus that was made available by the CARES act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. DLIR Director Scott Murakami said, “The department was again able to deliver a record level of benefits in a week and for that I am tremendously grateful for our workers. We know that there are still many in our community who are suffering, and we are resolute in providing a greater level of relief as soon as possible.”
From March 2 to May 1 there has been an 810-person decrease in the jail population across the state. These reductions are due to the huge, up-front diversion efforts made by county police departments, PSD’s Intake Services Center Division, and the State Judiciary.
Inmate Testing
Currently there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the prisons or jails. Testing report:
PSD keeps a regular supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for normal circumstances, but like all health care workers and first responders across the country, supply on hand was quickly depleting. To get ahead of the need, PSD submitted a large order for extra PPE which was received last week and distributed to correctional facilities across the state.
Inmates in the sewing program at the Waiawa Correctional Facility on O‘ahu, the Kulani Correctional Facility, and the Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center are producing as many as 4,400 cloth barrier masks a day. Masks made on Hawai‘i Island will be shipped to the Hawai‘i Correctional Industries (HCI) O‘ahu office for distribution, thanks to support by Aloha Air Cargo. HCI has also delivered 6,021 cloth masks to other state and federal agencies and are continuing to fill orders for over 50,000 masks. The orders are expected to be completed by the end of May. HCI will expand orders from the public early next week. HCI can be reached at 808-677-6638 or by email at psd.hawaiici@hawaii.gov
COVID-19 Silver Lining-Construction Moved up on Royal Hawaiian Groin Replacement
The existing Royal Hawaiian groin was installed 93-years ago and for decades it protected one of the most popular stretches of beach in Waikīkī. The virtual shut-down of Hawai‘i’s visitor industry during the COVID-19 crisis is providing a rare silver-lining. Next week, the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), in partnership with the Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement Association (WBSIDA), is kicking off work on a modern replacement groin, with construction work made much easier and safer without hundreds of visitors on the beach. The construction of the 160-foot-long replacement groin was originally set to begin this fall but was moved up to next Monday when a contractor will begin staging needed equipment and supplies on the beach. Learn more: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/05/01/nr20-053/
Please note: Effective this weekend and until further notice, there will not be Saturday/Sunday editions of this Daily News Digest. In the case of new developments, see https://dohvid19.wpengine.com/status-updates/. Mahalo
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division (SLD) has distributed a total of 12 Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid test instruments to all counties. The rapid coronavirus tests can produce results within 15 minutes when conducted in a certified laboratory.
“Having this capability to test a critically ill patient within 15 minutes is a great tool in the fight against COVID-19.” Said Dr. Edward Desmond, State Laboratories Division Administrator. “It helps us detect the virus quickly and respond much faster to help the patient and inform staff to ensure safety measures are in place.”
Six instruments have been sent to county medical systems (two each to DOH District Health Office laboratories on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i) and six instruments to clinical laboratories and health systems on O‘ahu (two each to Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii, and Kaiser Permanente).
Distribution for O‘ahu laboratories was based on healthcare and laboratory systems with the highest demand capacity throughout the state. For neighbor islands, these instruments enabled testing on-island for the first time. Test kits, used with each instrument, can test up to 24 samples. Additional supplies of rapid test kits are expected to arrive next week.
In Maui County, the Abbott test was conducted on a hospitalized patient, who tested negative and was subsequently transferred into hospice care. The equipment helped to confirm that the patient could be transferred safely to another healthcare facility.
The Abbott instruments were provided at no cost to the state with federal funding from the International Reagent Resource (IRR). Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies that use of the rapid testing equipment be conducted on symptomatic patients. Requesting physicians will utilize the test kits based on priority symptoms and factors.
About the State Laboratories Division (SLD)
The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division (SLD) is located in Pearl City. SLD performs laboratory testing to support disease control and other health related programs including the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD). The State Lab regularly tests samples for viruses and related agents which cause flu and the common cold. This enables DOCD to keep track of what is causing respiratory disease in the community and implement control measures if it is necessary.
Dr. Edward Desmond in the Hawaii State Laboratories Division
Edward Desmond, Ph.D., lead administrator of the Hawaii State Laboratories Division, says that Hawaii’s public health and private sector laboratories have stepped up to establish and expand their capacities for testing. His lab conducts testing for the State’s environmental and public health programs. A microbiologist and 40-year veteran of managing public health and hospital laboratories, Dr. Desmond manages a 100-strong team, now largely dedicated to COVID-19-related work in Hawaii. The questions he is most often asked revolve around coronavirus testing, including “Who should get tested?” and “Why isn’t everyone tested?” Desmond sat down with us to answer a few of these questions, too.
The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division performing laboratory testing.
Are there any myths about COVID-19 testing you’d like to correct or demystify for the public?
“Yes. A couple. First, that everyone should be tested, which is untrue. Testing does not show whether someone has been exposed or is incubating an infection before becoming symptomatic. With limited resources, testing for the presence of the virus should be limited to symptomatic patients and, perhaps, to patients in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, all of whom are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.”
And the second myth?
“That antibody tests – which are blood tests – are diagnostic tests, which is also untrue. When someone has COVID, antibodies may not develop for between five and 20 days after symptoms develop. A negative antibody test does not completely rule out that someone has the disease. A second limitation to antibody tests is the accuracy of most of them, which has not been thoroughly studied.”
What’s the current status of Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 rapid testing in Hawaii?
“Testing is underway with the 15 Abbott ID NOW™ instruments in Hawaii – two instruments each in Kauai, Maui and Hawaii counties, and nine on Oahu. The test kits needed to operate the instruments, however, are in limited supply. The State Laboratories Division is attempting to acquire as many Abbott ID NOW™ instruments as possible.”
What would you like Hawaii residents to know about in the COVID-19 battlefront?
“All of us staying home is accomplishing something. We appear to have ‘flattened the curve’ and kept the number of cases within the capabilities of Hawaii’s medical system to treat them, which will help lower the death rate here from this pandemic. That said, we all need to keep in mind that COVID-19 is likely to be with us for a long time, perhaps until a successful vaccine is developed and deployed. Physical distancing and other changes in the ways we work and do business will need to be practiced long-term.”
Is there anything Hawaii residents can all be credited for in the war against the virus?
“Hawaii has one of the lowest COVID-19 case rates in the U.S. A great deal of credit for that goes to the people of Hawaii for following shutdown and physical distancing guidelines. There are difficult times ahead for all of us, with long-term restrictions on our freedom to do many of the things we love to do. But compliance with continuing measures will enable our economy to get back on its feet, moving us toward the lifestyles we all enjoy while, at the same time, protecting our most vulnerable citizens.”
Hawaii high school classmates pull together to get critical PPE to state health care workers
Think globally. Act locally. And never forget your Hawaii roots.
Doing just that was a large part of the driving force behind a large shipment of much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) recently distributed to Hawaii health care workers thanks to a high school connection shared by Robin Chan, co-founder of national nonprofit Operation Masks, and two of his fellow Punahou School alumni. Its team was comprised of Chan’s friends and entrepreneurs with backgrounds in health care, technology and logistics. Since mid-March, Operation Masks has leveraged the ample business knowledge of its membership to channel PPE, including millions of masks, direct from factories in China to states across the country desperately in need of them.
Knowing that his former home state – largely because of its size and resources – would have relatively low buying power competing with other states for PPE, Chan quickly reached out to his network of friends and former classmates to find a connection in the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) who could help. That person was DOH Deputy Director of Health and former classmate Cathy Ross, who, as Operation Masks launched, was focused on the State’s COVID-19 response and concerned about having enough PPE for front-line health care workers and first responders.
“Larger markets for medical supplies were just beating us to every purchase,” Ross explained to writer Tara Olney in a recent Punahou magazine feature on the alumni PPE effort. “Cities like New York, with their budget and size, can place a million-dollar order without much worry. Here in Hawaii, we simply don’t have that buying power, and we would be devastated if the masks turned out to be counterfeit or the deal fell through. That’s where Operation Masks came in for us.”
Ross contacted the Hawaii State Procurement Office, which is responsible for purchasing during state emergencies, to assure the deal with Operation Masks got done – a task that eventually tapped State purchasing specialist Shannon Ota, another Punahou alum, for her assistance.
“My colleagues and I had been scouring the Earth, leaving no stone unturned to find PPE to supply front-line health care workers and first responders across the state of Hawaii,” Ota explained to Punahou magazine. “When the information from Cathy came in about a local boy with a line on masks, I was able to learn of fellow alumni Chan and work with him.”
According to Ross, Chan used his Operation Masks connections and leverage with suppliers to secure the deal, verify the quality of the PPE and set favorable terms for DOH. Working together, Chan, Ross and Ota got one of the first orders of critically needed masks out of Operation Masks into Hawaii and straight out to front-line health personnel with ease and speed.
Said Ross, “We are so unbelievably relieved to have (Operation Masks) support.” Our mahalo to the three classmates and everyone involved for getting the deal done. To learn more about the work being done by Operation Masks and lend your support, visit www.operationmasks.org.
Hawai‘i Economic and Community Recovery and Resiliency Navigator Gives Update
On a Facebook Live today, Gov. David Ige and Alan Oshima, Hawai‘i’s Economic and Community Recovery and Resiliency Navigator, discussed plans to keep the community safe while beginning to reopen designated sectors. Oshima said his group is connecting with business and community representatives to gather input, share ideas, and provide ways we can create Hawai‘i’s “new normal.” The planning phases include stabilization (immediate health and economic needs), recovery (job growth and investment), and resiliency (restructuring for a stronger future). Both also emphasized the importance of seeing the entire chain of economic recovery – from agriculture and energy to tourism, non-profits and social services – and how to rebrand Hawai‘i as not just a pretty place, but a safe, healthy state that depends on residents and visitors alike acting responsibly. Learn more: recoverynavigator.hawaii.gov
Department of Health:
Five Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported
Five (5) new cases of coronavirus, including three (3) on Hawai‘i island, one (1) on Maui and one (1) Hawai‘i resident diagnosed outside of Hawai‘i have been reported by DOH. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i to 618 since Feb. 28, 2020. Four (4) cases are adults and one is a minor.
Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, April 30, 2020
Island of Diagnosis
New Cases
Reported since
2/28/2020
(including new cases)
Total Released from Isolation
O‘ahu
0
399
364
Hawai‘i
3
73
58
Maui
1
114
84
Kaua‘i
0
21
20
Moloka‘i
0
2
0
Lana‘i
0
0
0
Residents Diagnosed outside HI
1
9
Unknown**
0
0
Total
5
618
Total released from isolation
526
Deaths
0
16
** Refers to positive cases that have an unknown county of diagnosis at the time of this report. As more information becomes available for these cases, they are assigned to the proper County of Diagnosis. A negative number indicates the number of previously unknown cases that have now been assigned to a county.
Laboratory* Testing Data
Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories
Positive
Negative
30,296**
616
29,665
*Electronic Laboratory Reporting **15 test results were inconclusive.
Hawai‘i Visitor Arrivals, Spending, Down 50 Percent
New research shows Hawai‘i visitor arrivals and spending is down more than 50 percent compared to a year ago. Flight cancellations began in February, initially affecting the China market. Then in March, a majority of the flights to the state were cancelled. Most cruise lines also suspended ship operations in U.S. waters on March 13. Overall visitor arrivals are down 53.7 percent in March 2020, year-to-year. Visitor spending is down 52.2 percent.
Yesterday a total of 590 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 187 visitors and 220 residents. There was a total of 14 arriving flights. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday. The next table details interisland travel.
Identification Credentials, Safety Checks, and Vehicle Registration Updates
Driver’s licenses, instruction permits, and State Identification cards that expire between March 15 and May 31, 2020, are being granted a 90-day waiver. All State-issued credentials expiring during this date range will be considered valid for an additional 90-days from the end of Governor Ige’s 6th supplementary emergency proclamation on May 31, 2020. This extension is to provide enough time for people to obtain or renew credentials once face-to-face government services are reopened. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders with a CDL that expired between March 16, 2020 thru May 31, 2020, are allowed an extension of up to 90-days but the 90 days cannot go past June 30, 2020.
Safety check certificates and stickers expiring on or before May 31, 2020, will remain valid until August 31, 2020. All other safety checks that expire in 2020 will be valid for an additional 3 months after the 2020 expiration date. HDOT is extending the safety check waiver to minimize unnecessary face-to-face interactions and to provide enough time for Periodic Inspection of Motor Vehicle (PMVI) stations, counties, and people to conduct and process safety checks once the stay-at-home order ends.
Motor vehicle registration fees and any applicable penalty fees for late registration have not changed. These funds are necessary to meet the local share of upcoming stimulus projects for road construction and maintenance. You can do renewals for registration by mail, online, or through available kiosks. For more information:
Governor David Ige was cautiously optimistic in remarks delivered at a news briefing this afternoon. “Your hard work, sacrifices, and diligence are paying off,” the governor said. For the past ten days, the state has experienced six or fewer new cases of COVID-19. “The curve has flattened…until there is a vaccine or cure we are not out of the woods, and we still need to remain extremely vigilant,” Governor Ige emphasized. He singled out Kauai Mayor Derick Kawakami’s leadership and the people of the Garden Island for becoming the first island with no new or active cases in two weeks
Work to Relax Restrictions and Mandates Underway
With Hawai‘i’s low rate of coronavirus infections, Governor Ige says state and county leaders are looking at easing restrictions and reopening the local economy. He reiterated his earlier pledge that this will happen in phases, based on health data, science and guidance from healthcare advisors. The governor and county mayors are looking at ways to scale back mandates in a cautious, safe and coordinated manner. However, the governor warned, “Please keep in mind that there is a widespread expectation of a second wave of cases, not just here, but on the mainland and worldwide. If we start to see a surge, some of the mandates may have to be reinstated.”
Help for Self-Employed and Independent Contractors
The governor announced the launch of a new system to specifically help people are are not typically eligible for regular unemployment benefits. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA was made available through the federal CARES Act. As it is a new program, it comes with new requirements and Governor Ige describes it as a difficult process. He said, “Hawai‘i is one of the first states to bring PUA on line. I’m pleased to announce that starting this week people can begin to submit applications for PUA relief funds.”
Payments to businesses under the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which has brought more than $2 billion in forgivable loans to the state, will not be subject to the State General Excise Tax (GET). Governor Ige said this will help ensure that funds stay in the hands of small businesses so they can keep people on their payrolls and cover some of their operational expenses. While the state can administratively waive GET, it can’t do the same for income taxes. So in keeping with the federal stance that PPP loans are excluded from federal gross income tax, the Dept. of Taxation will be asking the Hawai‘i State Legislature to pass legislation that permits the state to conform to federal rules. This is expected to provide some relief to the more than 11,000 small businesses that have received PPP loans, with a second round of funding that started on Monday.
Lt. Governor’s Office:
Lt. Governor Proclaims, “The Curve is Flat – You Did It!”
During remarks at today’s media briefing Lt. Governor Josh Green thanked everyone in Hawai‘i for doing a great job in practicing social distancing and taking other measures which have greatly flattened the curve of new COVID-19 infections in the state. “We are sad to lose 16 of our loved ones and our hearts are with their families and friends,” Green said. He added, “Fortunately Hawai‘i is among a few states with the lowest mortality rate. The fact that we share this distrinctrion with really rural states like Wyoming, Utah, North and South Dakota, is a great sign for Hawai‘i. The Lt. Governor cautioned everyone not to become complacent, saying it is likely there will be additional deaths. While the curve has been flattened (four new cases today), people already in the hospital or have chronic conditions could still succumb to COVID-19, even as the number of cases and active disease decreases. Green, the governor’s healthcare liaison, shared the following statewide hospital numbers:
HOSPITAL BEDS
ICU BEDS
VENTILATORS
TOTAL
2,773
244
459
IN-USE
1,451
101
63
PERCENTAGE
52%
41%
14%
Department of Health:
Four Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported
Four (4) new cases of coronavirus, included three (3) O‘ahu adults and one (1) Hawai‘i resident diagnosed outside of Hawai‘i have been reported by DOH. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i to 613 since Feb. 28, 2020. As of today, 321 cases are travel-associated, 236 are community-associated, and 56 with risk factors unknown at this time.
Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, April 29, 2020
Island of Diagnosis
New Cases
Reported since
2/28/2020
(including new cases)
Total Released from Isolation
O‘ahu
3
399
360
Hawai‘i
0
70
53
Maui
0
113
83
Kaua‘i
0
21
20
Moloka‘i
0
2
0
Lana‘i
0
0
0
Residents Diagnosed outside HI
1
8
Unknown**
0
0
Total
4
613
Total released from isolation
516
Deaths
0
16
** Refers to positive cases that have an unknown county of diagnosis at the time of this report. As more information becomes available for these cases, they are assigned to the proper County of Diagnosis. A negative number indicates the number of previously unknown cases that have now been assigned to a county.
Laboratory* Testing Data
Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories
Positive
Negative
29,757**
611
29,125
*Electronic Laboratory Reporting **21 test results were inconclusive.
As of yesterday, there are a total of 59 COVID-19 positive cases at Maui Memorial Medical Center. DOH is continuing to monitor this cluster which includes 38 staff and 21 patients.
Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance Plan
Dept. of Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson announced today that DOH is preparing to publicly release its comprehensive plan on Disease Surveillance and Investigation. The plan involves the medical community, schools, businesses, community health centers, and clinical laboratories. Anderson said, “Strengthening our contact tracing capacity will also be key in implementing effective disease containment and control of COVID-19.” DOH is using technology to help streamline the process of contacting positive cases and conducting investigations.
New Contact Tracing Digital Tool
DOH is also close to rolling out a new digital tool to follow-up with people who’ve had close contact with a positive case. People will be able to use the application to provide information on their health status and transmit the information securely to DOH. This new application has been used successfully in other states, and DOH Director Dr. Bruce Anderson said, “We are looking forward to incorporating this application for disease investigation in Hawai‘i.”
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:
494 Passengers Arrive on Tuesday
Yesterday, 494 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 121 visitors and 177 residents. There was a total of 13 arriving flights. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday. The next table details interisland travel.
The Pride of America has reduced the number of crew on the ship to approximately 150 people. The remaining crew will sail with the ship when it departs for Oregon to enter dry dock. The scheduled departure date is anticipated for June 20. The ship has maintained communication with the Department of Health, which reports no new cases and the few symptomatic persons have tested negative for COVID-19. The ship has nearly completed two incubation periods from the last exposure. The vessel will remain docked at Pier 11 at Honolulu Harbor until it departs.
Update on Enhanced Airport Verification Process
The enhanced passenger verification process continues at Hawaiʻi airports with positive results. A Washington man flew to Honolulu without a reservation or means to pay for lodging, so he was sent back to Seattle Monday night. Another person also flew back to Seattle Tuesday. Upon landing in Hawaiʻi passengers are having their temperature taken, their contact information and reservations verified, and they must sign a document acknowledging they understand it is a criminal offense if they disobey the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine order.
Department of the Attorney General:
Four More Arrested For Quarantine Violations
A Florida man and an Illinois woman are the latest people to be arrested and charged under the State’s COVID-19 emergency rules. They were first contacted by Honolulu Police yesterday, the same day they’d checked into a Waikiki hotel. Hotel staff called police after they saw the couple returning to their room with shopping bags and take-out food in violation of the mandatory traveler 14-day self-quarantine rule. This morning special agents from the Dept. of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division went to the hotel and arrested them. They are charged with violation of the 14-day quarantine rule and unsworn falsification to authorities.
Also, yesterday, a 60-year-old California man was observed by a witness jet-skiing off a North Shore beach. Authorities say he was supposed to be in self-quarantine at his Waialua home beginning on April 18th. Yesterday, he was seen leaving his residence and was then followed to Costco in Waipio. He was arrested by AG’s special agents as he was loading groceries into his vehicle. In addition to being charged for violating the self-quarantine rule, he is also charged with unsworn falsification to authority.
On Maui, a 34-year-old man is voluntarily returning to his home in Houston today, after being contacted by Maui Police repeatedly for violating the mandatory self-quarantine rule. An investigation revealed that the man left his hotel room late Monday and returned after midnight. The next morning when officers contacted him, he said he wasn’t aware of the mandatory self-quarantine. He said he now understood the rules and would not leave his room again. Tuesday evening police were contacted again and saw him leaving his room. He was arrested and released pending further investigation.
Hawai‘i Attorney General Clare Connors reminds all visitors and returning residents flying into Hawai‘i at this time, “It is always our hope that persons coming to our state follow our laws and respect the needs of our community. In light of the health and safety concerns presented by this pandemic, law enforcement has a zero-tolerance attitude towards anyone who violates the traveler self-quarantine rule. When we receive reports of violations, we will pursue them. We’re asking everyone flying into the state to respect the emergency rules for their own protection and for the health and well-being of all of Hawai‘i.”
