Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 1, 2020

Office of the Governor:

Small Business Administration Details Paycheck Protection Program

Jane Sawyer, the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined Gov. Ige today during his daily media teleconference to provide more details on the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program. It’s part of the “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (also known as CARES Act). This program gives small businesses access to short-term cash flow assistance aimed at helping businesses deal with the immediate global impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans are made by approved lenders, certified by the SBA and are guaranteed by the federal government.

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

Department of Health:

First COVID-19 Death Possibly Travel-Related

The first death from COVID-19 has been confirmed as an older adult O‘ahu resident who had recently traveled from Las Vegas. DOH reports 34 new COVID-19 cases today — one is a minor and 33 are adults. The majority of cases are residents (26), one (1) is a visitor and seven (7) are unknown and pending investigation. There are now a total of 258 presumptive or confirmed cases in the state.

Community Surveillance testing has conducted roughly 380 tests to date on representative samples from every island with one (1) positive result on O‘ahu, reinforcing there is limited and localized community spread on O‘ahu.

LABORATORY TESTING DATA

Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories	Positive	Negative
10,462	256	10,206

 HAWAI‘I COVID-19 COUNTS AS OF 12 NOON, APRIL 1, 2020

County of Diagnosis	New Cases	Reported since 2/28/2020 (including new cases)	Total Released from Isolation
Honolulu	25	182	49
Hawai‘i	3	18	6
Maui	1	26	11
Kaua‘i	0	12	3
Residents Diagnosed outside HI	0	2
Pending investigation	5	18
Total	34	258	69
Deaths	0	1

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:

Arrival Numbers Up on First Day of Interisland Self-Quarantine Rules

Yesterday, 906 passengers arrived in Hawai‘i on the sixth day of the state’s 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for all incoming passengers. The chart below does not include interisland travel.

	Kona	Maui	O‘ahu	Līhu‘e	Total
Crew	13	26	169	15	223
Intended Resident			114		114
Resident	53	39	225	4	321
Transit		15	72		87
Visitor	24	13	120	4	161
Grand Total	90	93	700	23	906
Flights	6	7	21	4	38

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/4409/040120-passenger-count-press-release.pdf

Department of Transportation:

First Day of Interisland Travel Quarantine Order Described as Orderly

Few passengers and compliance led to smooth implementation of the self-quarantine rules for all interisland travelers. Arrival numbers are now down more than 98.5% from last March. It is anticipated to drop even more with fewer interisland passengers. All interisland travelers are required to fill-out out a declaration form, which will be collected at a TSA checkpoint prior to their departure. This is different from domestic and international travelers who submit the form upon arrival in Hawai‘i. The form can also be filled out in advance and is available at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/

Passengers who are traveling for medical reasons for treatment or to see a specialist should also wear a mask and practice social distancing. If a patient does not have a mask, they can use a homemade mask, but even if they do not have one, they will not be denied on the flight. They can still travel and go to their appointment.

Essential workers while traveling through the airport and on the flight should wear a mask and social distance themselves. Essential workers while on another island for work need to quarantine themselves when not working. When they get home, they don’t need to quarantine themselves. Exemption inquiries and requests should be emailed to:

CovidExemption@hawaii.gov

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs:

Consumer Protection Office Provides Resources for Landlords and Tenants

Governor Ige’s recent emergency proclamations concerning the coronavirus, have invoked special legal requirements applicable to Landlords and Tenants in Hawai‘i. The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is providing answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) to assist homeowners and renters with inquiries regarding the Landlord-Tenant code. The guidance provided is current as of March 31, 2020 and may be subject to change per actions taken at the state and/or federal level. The FAQS along with more information regarding the Hawai‘i Landlord-Tenant code:

https://cca.hawaii.gov/ocp/landlordtenant/

https://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/release-state-provides-guidance-for-homeowners-and-renters/

Department of the Attorney General:

Scam Alert from the AG and Consumer Protection Office

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Clare E. Connors and Hawaiʻi Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Executive Director Stephen Levins are alerting Hawaiʻi residents about a wave of COVID-19 scams occurring as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic. These scams focus on all areas of consumer vulnerability in an attempt to capitalize on fear and rapidly changing developments.

It’s important that during this trying time, residents remain vigilant when online shopping, as well as in communications with those offering what seem to be too-good-to-be-true opportunities. For information regarding SCAM prevention, assistance, and up-to-date tips, please visit:

• https://www.consumerresources.org/
• https://www.ftc.gov/
• https://www.fbi.gov/
• https://ag.hawaii.gov/tax/files/2013/01/540427_11.pdf
• https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity

Department of Defense:

Hawai‘i National Guardsmen Ready for COVID-19 Response

The Hawai‘i National Guard has been partially activated and is standing ready to provide community support during the COVID-19 crisis. Airmen from the Air National Guard’s, Medical Detachment 1 are carrying out daily temperature screenings and health surveys for guardsmen on active duty. Their job is to make sure that guardsmen remain healthy for the duration of their deployments. Currently the guard is doing planning and logistics in support of the state and is prepared to take on any tasks as assigned by the governor.

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6157625/activated-hawaii-national-guardsmen-ready-covid-19-response

State Foundation on Arts and Culture:

Stress Relief!

When times are difficult, we often turn to music, read a book or engage in the arts.  Participating in creative activities is a way to find meaning in difficult times. The Arts affirm life. The State Foundation on Arts and Culture has compiled a curated list of various arts experiences, available online for all ages and abilities. The list includes links to online performances by Hawai‘i arts and culture organizations, lesson plans and activity guides for educators, and coloring pages. This list will be updated as more resources become available.

https://sfca.hawaii.gov/artsed-resources/

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PDF: COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 1, 2020