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

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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://hawaiicovid19.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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