Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 9, 2020
Department of Health: DOH Reports Seven (7) New Cases The rate of positive COVID-19 cases remains steady at 2.7% of tests. Seven (7) new cases are being reported, all in adults, for a total number since Feb. 28 of 442 cases. Honolulu saw six (6) additional cases; Hawai‘i Island has two (2) new cases; and Maui has three (3) new cases. LABORATORY TESTING DATA Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories Positive Negative 16,070 440 15,612 18 test results were inconclusive HAWAI‘I COVID-19 COUNTS AS OF 12 NOON, APRIL 9, 2020 County of Diagnosis New Cases Reported [...]
Here Comes the Rush, Here Comes the Good
How we can all help our health care workers get more PPE “Like a community bracing for a coming flood, we’re piling up ‘sandbags’ of resources to help blunt the expected peak of Hawaii’s COVID-19 outbreak,” says Hilton Raethel, president and CEO of Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH). “And everyone can contribute.” In addition to hand washing and physical distancing to slow virus transmission, Raethel says people can continue to help by wearing cloth masks and providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for our health care workers on the front lines. HAH, whose membership includes Hawaii’s acute-care hospitals, skilled nursing [...]
Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 8, 2020
Governor’s Office: Second COVID-19 Death on Maui Under Investigation Investigators from the State Health Dept. are in the process of gathering details about the second Maui resident to pass away from COVID-19. This is an adult male over 65-years-old and is another stark reminder of the human toll this disease is exacting here in Hawai‘i. Governor Ige offered his personal condolences to the friends and family of the man who passed. This brings the total number of deaths from coronavirus statewide to six. Maui Hospital Confirms 15 Employees Test Positive for COVID-19 Maui Memorial Medical Center has confirmed 15 [...]
Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 7, 2020
Governor’s Office: Honolulu Repurposes ‘Ohana Zone Funds for Additional Help for People Experiencing Homelessness Utilizing State ‘Ohana Zone funds, the City and County of Honolulu today announced the rapid deployment of its HONU (Homeless Outreach and Navigation for the Unsheltered) program, which provides short-term shelter and triage services to people experiencing homelessness. Due to the impacts of COVID-19 both the State and the City have recognized the need for more immediate shelter options that implement physical distancing measures. HONU resources are being directed to the City’s new Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) facility at Ke‘ehi Lagoon. POST will [...]
Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 6, 2020
Governor’s Office: Governor Ige Extends Condolences to Family & Friends of Two More Who Died Gov. David Ige, today, extended his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the latest Hawai‘i residents who passed away due to COVID-19. The governor said it is with a heavy heart that one of our O‘ahu neighbors passed away on Saturday, and then another tragic loss with the passing of a Maui man. Governor Ige commented, “It is extremely heartbreaking each time we learn of another resident who passes away from this virus. We are reminded daily of the devastating effect [...]
New Website for Mental Health and Homeless Service Providers
HONOLULU – Today, the Behavioral Health and Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group (BHHSURG) launched a website to ensure the continuity of coverage of essential health and homelessness services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The website features resources for providers who work with mental health and homeless populations, including provider Q&A webinars, weekly newsletters, updates from partners, and guidance on using telehealth and personal protective equipment. The site also contains information for clients and consumers, such as guidance on everyday prevention and how to access services. The goal is to enable providers and the people they serve to find answers to common [...]
Hawai‘i Department of Health reminds everyone that face masks are no substitute of physical distancing
HONOLULU – Across the state, customers and staff at pharmacies, supermarkets, and take-out food establishments are wearing cloth masks and using physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many local and national chain stores have established controls on how many customers can enter a store at one time. The Joint Information Center has produced a printable store-front poster to further encourage physical distancing, aimed at flattening the curve of new COVID-19 cases. Download the poster here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f3crddhm1dvx1e0/AADYxpbepZ5d_dpKPWFopOJHa?dl=0 “I’m pleased to see how quickly people are responding to the guidance to use face covering in addition to physical distancing and [...]
Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 5, 2020
Department of Health: Total Number of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Cases Rises to 371 Twenty (20) new cases of COVID-19 are all adults. Maui’s mayor announced a second case on Moloka‘i Saturday night and both of those cases are reflected in the Maui County numbers below. Eleven (11) of the new reported cases are travel-associated, two (2) are community related, and seven (7) are pending further investigation. There is a total of 371 cases reported in Hawai'i since Feb. 28, 2020. DOH reports the number of travel related cases is dropping and of greater concern are community-associated cases. Kaua‘i continues to [...]
Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 4, 2020
Department of Health: Fourth Death is East O‘ahu Adult An East O‘ahu adult male, over 65-years-old, is the 4th person to die from COVID-19. The individual passed this morning, and based on preliminary information, this case was travel-related in that the person may have been exposed to someone who had traveled. He had been hospitalized. The Department of Health offers its deep condolences to the family and friends of the individual at this difficult and sad time. Two minors are among the 32 new cases of COVID-19 being reported today. The majority of cases reported since tracking began [...]
Governor Ige and Hawai‘i Department of Health provide additional guidance on face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19
HONOLULU – Based on national guidance released today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommendations from county mayors and state legislators, Gov. Ige and the Hawai‘i Department of Health and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency are formulating a statewide policy on the voluntary use of facemasks. Although there is no current data to demonstrate that homemade, cloth masks are effective for individual protection, it is reasonable to assume that wearing a fabric mask can help prevent the spread of infection to others. The CDC now recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public settings particularly where [...]