DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

 

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

BRUCE S. ANDERSON, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2020                                                                                                                       20-0026

 

COVID-19 Daily Update

 

Proper Use of COVID-19 Tests Imperative
There is a current shortage of hand sanitizers and toilet paper in Hawai‘i in part because of the public’s over-reaction to COVID-19. The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) wants to avoid having the same shortage of COVID-19 test resources by making sure the public understands how to properly utilize the newly established screening sites.

If people who are well or experiencing mild flu-like symptoms go to the screening sites, there potentially may be insufficient testing supplies for those who critically need the tests, including older adults and those with existing health conditions.

 

The public should heed the following steps:

• First, contact your healthcare provider in advance to determine if you need to have an in-person visit with your provider.
• Your provider will determine over the phone whether you meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing.
• If your provider directs you to come in for a screening, bring a photo ID and insurance card.
• Your provider will take a swab for testing.
• The specimen will be sent to a private or state lab for the results. During this time, you are expected to self-quarantine at home until the test results are available, which could be up to 3 to 4 days.
• If you are healthy or experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, DOH urges you to stay at home and avoid an unnecessary visit to a screening site. The screening sites are only for those who are severely ill with COVID-19 symptoms.
   

 

Postpone or Cancel In-Person Events

The Hawai‘i Department of Health recommends postponing or canceling in-person events involving 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. Consider using technology to hold virtual meetings or other means when feasible.

It is important to note these are recommendations to encourage best practices for social distancing; not mandates. Businesses and organizations have the option to hold group events and meetings at their own discretion, keeping in mind that attendees should be two-arms-length or six feet apart when possible. Seniors and those with underlying health conditions who are at a greater risk for COVID-19 or respiratory illnesses should avoid attending public gatherings altogether.

 

Cruise Ship Being Rerouted 

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors Division and the U.S. Coast Guard are continuing coordination with Holland America Line’s Maasdam cruise ship, which is on its way to Hawai‘i. Initially, the Maasdam had a port call for Hilo, however that reservation has been canceled. HDOT is currently working to direct the ship to Honolulu Harbor so that disembarking passengers will have various flight options for departure out of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). To date, there have been no positive cases of COVID-19 associated with the ship. It is important to note that the Maasdam will have been at sea longer than the 14-day incubation period prior to arriving in the Hawaiian Islands. Prior to port, all ships are required to call in advance with information on any symptomatic passengers. If there are concerns about passengers who are ill, the ship will be held out of port.

 

2-1-1 Call Center for Information on COVID-19

The Aloha United Way call center is open daily between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. For information or questions about COVID-19:

• Call 2-1-1 from any location in the state
• Text 877-275-6569
• Email info211@...
• Visit health.hawaii.gov/covid19 or coronavirus.gov

 

Four New Cases of COVID-19 Identified on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island

As of 2:00 p.m. on March 17, 2020 there is a total of 14 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. Four new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified: Two on O‘ahu, one on Hawai‘i Island and one on Maui. DOH is gathering more information on these cases.

COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm
(updated as new information becomes available)

Number of Confirmed or Presumptive Positive Case(s)*                              14

 

Number of Persons Under Investigation (current, testing pending)                  12

 

Number of Negative Test Results                                                                      93

 

Number of Person Self-Monitoring with DOH supervision                               9

The 9 individuals who are self-monitoring with public health supervision are all on O‘ahu. These numbers fluctuate often as travelers arrive, depart, or begin and end their self-monitoring with supervision by DOH.

 

Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory such as the DOH State Laboratories Division.

*The CDC has advised states that respiratory samples positive for SARS-CoV2 in a state and public-health laboratory will be considered “positive” with no need for further testing.

Presumptive Positive: Positive test results from a private laboratory requiring confirmation by a state public health laboratory.

Persons Under Investigation (PUI): Meets CDC criteria for investigation and testing pending.

Monitoring: Individuals voluntarily remain at home and refrain from work, school, gathering places, and public transit. They communicate daily with Department of Health staff.

 

# # #

 

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Reminder: General Membership Meeting - CANCELLED

When: Tuesday, 17 March 2020, 19:00 to 21:00, (GMT-10:00) Pacific/Honolulu

Where:Fleet Reserve Assn, Branch 46. 894 Valkenburg St. Honolulu 96819

View Event

Organizer: skawamae@...

Description: Monthly General Membership Meeting - CANCELLED

Due to the CDC's recommendation against gatherings over 50 individuals, released today.  The ARRL VEC Test Session will still be held. 

Reminder: General Membership Meeting

When: Tuesday, 17 March 2020, 19:00 to 21:00, (GMT-10:00) Pacific/Honolulu

Where:Fleet Reserve Assn, Branch 46. 894 Valkenburg St. Honolulu 96819

View Event

Organizer: skawamae@...

Description: Monthly General Membership Meeting

Topics:
AREDN Mesh and Winlink
Field Day 2020 Planning and purchasing equipment

Attention all DOH employees, the following is provided for your information and sharing. You are encouraged to send out this information widely to all community partners and others that may be interested in DOH activities.

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

 

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

 

BRUCE S. ANDERSON, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR

                                   

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 13, 2020                                                                                                                                                                                    20-019

 

Hawai‘i Department of Health issues

spring break guidelines for families to take action against COVID-19

 

HONOLULU — With thousands of students off from school for spring break beginning next week, the Hawai‘i Department of Health is issuing guidelines families can follow to protect themselves against COVID-19 infection. Family members who are especially vulnerable include those who are 60 years and older, have a compromised immune system, or have existing health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease or a heart condition.

“We know that traditionally spring break is a time when families go on trips or spend more time at the malls, theaters, restaurants, and other places where the public gathers,” said Bruce Anderson, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “We are urging families to be circumspect and exercise extra precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission.”

New website to go live next week
The Hawai‘i Department of Health, in collaboration with other state agencies, is also developing guidelines for schools and for businesses and nonprofit organizations that are planning large-scale public events. These guidelines will be posted on a new, user-friendly website dedicated to providing easy access to COVID-19 facts and figures and timely updates.

With an average of more than 7,000 page views of the Department of Health’s COVID-19 related webpages and more than 350,000 website visits since Jan. 20, the new separate website, scheduled to go live next week, will be easier to easy to navigate for the public.

 

Preventive measures

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has issued the following spring break guidelines to manage the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the state:

 

• Consider avoiding crowded or congested areas, including large public gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, conventions, religious gathers and other community events (the Hawai‘i Department of Health defines “large” gatherings as 100 people or more and allows for social distancing of people being six feet apart);
• Avoid non-essential travel to COVID-19 high-risk destinations;
• If you or a family member is sick, remain home except to receive medical help; and
• Avoid those who are sick and have flu-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, and shortness of breath.

 

Minimizing risks
“While we do not want to limit family activities or recommend cancelling their plans for spring break, we are urging families to take steps to minimize their risk of infection,” Anderson said. “Many of these guidelines are the same messages that we have been issuing since the COVID-19 outbreak, but have heightened relevance during the spring break because the potential for person-to-person transmission with an infected person exponentially increases and this could lead to additional cases of COVID-19 infection in our state.”
 

If families are planning to go to the malls, movies and other locations, they should implement safe hygiene practices.

 

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash;
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing;
• Avoid touching high-contact public surfaces such as phones, doors, tables, keys, bags and lights;
• Use alcohol-based hand-sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol; and
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects on a routine basis.

 

Social distancing

“Here in the islands, we value a culture of aloha that is expressed with hugging and kissing,” Anderson said, “but we would like families to consider practicing ‘social distancing,’ which recommends staying at least six feet—a distance of two arms-length—between people.”

These new practices may seem odd at first, but are effective in promoting health and wellness.

• Forgo hugging and kissing as greetings or farewells;
• Present a lei without a hug or kiss; and
• Handshakes are acceptable but remember to wash your hands,

 

Scheduled trips

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Hawai‘i Department of Health also have specific guidelines for families who choose to travel outside the state for spring break:

 

• When returning home to Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Department of Health recommends family members monitor their health for a 14-day period from the time you left the area with widespread, ongoing community spread;
• If anyone in the family who went on the trip develops symptoms of a serious, sudden respiratory illness that includes a combination of fever, cough and shortness of breath, have mild symptoms (e.g., no fever but cough), are 60 years or older, or have underlying medical conditions, contact a healthcare provider before going to a medical facility; and
• Specific guidelines on travel are available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html

 

Flu shots

A flu shot is another valuable tool to prevent and effectively manage COVID-19. Although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, it will reduce the number of flu cases. This helps to reduce anxiety and frees up healthcare professionals to focus on people affected by COVID-19.

 

#  #  #

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

BRUCE S. ANDERSON, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2020                                                                                                         20-0021

COVID-19 Daily Update

No Direct Incoming Flights to Hawaii from Europe

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation confirmed there are no direct, incoming flights from Europe to the U.S. The 30-day federal ban on flights from Europe except the United Kingdom begins Friday, March 13, at midnight. 

 

Extended Hours for Public Calls to AUW 2-1-1 on COVID-19

 

Aloha United Way has extended its public call center hours to 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., 7 days a week. For more information or questions about COVID-19:

• Call 2-1-1 from any location in the state
• Text 877-275-6569
• Email info211@...
• Visit health.hawaii.gov/covid19 or coronavirus.gov  

 

Media Reports on Canadian Visitor to Hawaii

The Department of Health (DOH) has reached out to its federal partners regarding media reports of a Canadian visitor who, upon return to Canada, was confirmed positive for COVID-19. DOH has not received any information on this individual at this point.

 

Tours Temporarily Suspended at Kalaupapa National Historical Park

DOH has temporarily suspended tours to Kalaupapa National Historical Park until April 11, 2020 as a public health measure to protect the vulnerable population of patients. The department will continue to assess the situation to determine when the suspension can be lifted.

Community Surveillance Initiative

The Hawaii Department of Health is launching a statewide surveillance testing program to identify cases of community spread of the coronavirus. This additional layer of testing helps detect COVID-19 cases earlier, so that appropriate steps can be taken to contain the virus. About 200 COVID-19 tests will be conducted each week under the program. Samples collected for influenza testing from patients with respiratory symptoms will be randomly selected and also tested for COVID-19. These samples are collected by healthcare providers in doctor’s offices and other outpatient settings. The information will help responders understand the scope of the spread, if and when such a spread occurs.

Continued Contact Follow-Up

The Department of Health is conducting contact tracing and follow-up on the cases associated with the Grand Princess cruise ship, in addition to the traveler who recently flew from Hawaii to Washington State and back to Hawaii via Hawaiian Airlines. Healthcare workers exposed to the individual without proper precautions are being monitored for symptoms for 14 days.

 

Precautions for seniors

Seniors are at a greater risk for COVID-19, especially those who have underlying health conditions. Older adults and individuals with underlying health issues should avoid non-essential travel, including cruises. Neighbor island residents with scheduled medical treatment or follow-up care on Oahu should consult with their doctors. Seniors should avoid large crowds, wash their hands often, and keep medications and groceries on-hand.

 

World Health Organization (WHO) Reports

For the latest situation reports from the World Health Organization, visit who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports.
 

DOH advises people who think they may have symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their healthcare provider in advance of going to a medical facility.

• Tell your provider about your symptoms and any recent travel. Healthcare providers will discuss any possible cases of COVID-19 with DOH to determine if testing is needed.
• Consider utilizing tele-health services, if available.
• Avoid traveling or leaving home if you are sick, except for visiting your doctor after contacting them in advance.

Second positive case on Oahu

On March 8, DOH tested a second presumptive positive test result for an elderly adult who is hospitalized in serious condition on Oahu. The individual felt ill on March 2 in Washington State and traveled home to Honolulu on March 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified and trace back investigations are being conducted. The Oahu hospital has taken protective and preventive measures and is working with healthcare workers to ensure health and safety. Information is still being gathered and as more information becomes available, the public will be advised.

The first presumptive positive case was announced March 6. That individual was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise in Mexico from Feb. 11-21. After arriving in Mexico, the individual traveled home to Honolulu with no symptoms. While home in Honolulu, the individual became ill on March 1, sought medical care and was tested on March 6. The individual is currently isolated at home and is being monitored daily by DOH. The department is conducting a detailed trace investigation to identify, notify, and provide guidance to all close contacts as quickly as possible.
 

Grand Princess cruise ship

To date, there have been 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (19 crew members and 2 passengers) on the Grand Princess cruise ship that made port calls to Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai on Feb. 26, Honolulu Harbor on Feb. 27, Lahaina, Maui on Feb. 28, and Hilo on Feb. 29. The Department of Health is working closely with the CDC to notify any passengers in Hawaii and trace all close contacts. 

The public is advised that exposure risk to tour operators and other hospitality services who interact with visitors on cruises is low. Companies should work on finding out which specific employees actually had close contact (close personal face-to-face contact for more than 10 minutes) with Grand Princess cruise passengers. DOH is contacting companies to gather this information. Companies are advised to notify their workers that there have been individuals from the Grand Princess cruise who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and the overall risk to hospitality workers is low.
 

State Laboratories Division testing

The Hawaii Department of Health is capable of conducting in-state testing for up to 250 individuals per week for COVID-19. Results can be ready within 24-48 hours of a sample being collected. This enhances the state’s prevention and mitigation response capabilities to further safeguard the health of people in Hawaii. 
 

COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 12, 2020
(updated as new information becomes available)

Number of Presumptive Positive or Confirmed Case(s)		2
Number of Persons Under Investigation (current, testing pending)		2
Number of Persons Under Investigation (closed, testing negative)		28
Number of Persons Under Quarantine		0
Number of Persons Self-Monitoring with DOH supervision		39

 

Of the 39 individuals who are self-monitoring with public health supervision, 34 are on Oahu, 4 are on Maui, and 1 is on Kauai. These numbers fluctuate often as travelers arrive, depart, or begin and end their self-monitoring with supervision by DOH.
 

Presumptive Positive: A presumptive positive result is when a patient has tested positive by a public health laboratory, but results are pending confirmation at CDC. For public health purposes, a presumptive positive result using the CDC test is treated as a positive.

Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory.

Person Under Investigation (PUI): Meets CDC criteria for investigation and testing pending.

Quarantine: Individuals are required to remain in a designated location and separated from others. They are actively monitored by Department of Health staff. Quarantine is enforceable by law.

Monitoring: Individuals voluntarily remain at home and refrain from work, school, gathering places, and public transit. They communicate daily with Department of Health staff.

Guidance for schools and childcare programs

The CDC recently posted interim guidance for administrators of childcare programs and K-12 schools to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19. School closures have taken place in Japan and South Korea.
 

Business continuity planning

State and county agencies are actively preparing for continuity of business operations to deal with the potential impact of COVID-19. The goal is to enable ongoing operations during a public health emergency. To address concerns about workers who have traveled to China, DOH developed a list of frequently asked questions and answers to guide local businesses.
 

National travel advisories

Before traveling, review Travel Advisories and Alerts for destination(s) at www.travel.state.gov/destination. The State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide specific advice to travelers on their websites.  
 

Preventing the spread of misinformation and disease

The Department of Health is committed to sharing information as it becomes available. People are urged not to spread misinformation or inaccurate statements that are not confirmed, and keep updated and informed on the situation. Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness with these everyday actions.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from illnesses, including COVID-19. Keep in mind that supplies are limited and we need to make sure there are enough masks for our front-line health care workers. If you are sick then wear a mask to protect the people around you.
• Prepare for the possibility that people may want to stay home or may be asked to stay home to prevent the spread of illness.

• • If you have daily medication needs, have more than a week’s supply on hand and have as much on hand as your insurance will allow you to have.
  • Not everyone can afford to stock up on supplies or has the space to store them, but anything you can arrange in advance means one less inconvenience or one less trip to the store while you are sick.
  • Make family plans for the possibility of school or day care closures. Do some contingency planning in advance at the family level.

• Sign up for public notifications at health.hawaii.gov/news/covid-19-updates.

 

Screening of arriving passengers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu

As a way to manage the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, foreign nationals who have traveled to China, Iran and certain European countries (except the United Kingdom) are currently being denied entry into the United States. The European countries included in the 30-day federal ban includes: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These restrictions do not apply to legal permanent residents, immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation.

 

Enhanced passenger screening procedures at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are in place for those who have traveled to these countries within the past 14 days. Airport passenger screening continues to be conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Customers and Border Protection (CBP).

 

# # #

 

 

This email was sent to lynnbaileyHDOH@... why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Hawaii Department of Health · 1250 Punchbowl St · Honolulu, HI 96813-2416 · USA

Reminder: General Membership Meeting

When: Tuesday, 17 March 2020, 19:00 to 21:00, (GMT-10:00) Pacific/Honolulu

Where:Fleet Reserve Assn, Branch 46. 894 Valkenburg St. Honolulu 96819

View Event

Organizer: skawamae@...

Description: Monthly General Membership Meeting

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

BRUCE S. ANDERSON, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2020                                                                                                                                             20-020

 

COVID-19 Daily Update

 

Extended Hours for Public Calls to AUW 2-1-1 on COVID-19

Aloha United Way has extended its public call center hours to 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., 7 days a week.

For more information or questions about COVID-19:

• Call 2-1-1 from any location in the state
• Text 877-275-6569
• Email info211@...
• Visit health.hawaii.gov/covid19 or coronavirus.gov  

 

Media Reports on Canadian Visitor to Hawaii

The Department of Health (DOH) has reached out to its federal partners regarding media reports of a Canadian visitor who, upon return to Canada, was confirmed positive for COVID-19. DOH has not received any information on this individual to this point.

 

Tours Temporarily Suspended at Kalaupapa National Historical Park

DOH has temporarily suspended tours to Kalaupapa National Historical Park until April 11, 2020 as a public health measure to protect the vulnerable population of patients.

 

Community Surveillance Initiative

The Hawaii Department of Health is launching a statewide surveillance testing program to identify cases of community spread of the coronavirus. This additional layer of testing helps detect COVID-19 cases earlier so that appropriate steps can be taken to contain the virus. About 200 COVID-19 tests will be conducted each week under the program. Samples collected for influenza testing from patients with respiratory symptoms will be randomly selected and also tested for COVID-19. These samples are collected by healthcare providers in doctor’s offices and other outpatient settings. The information will help responders understand the scope if such a spread when it occurs.

 

Continued Contact Follow-Up

The Department of Health is conducting contact tracing and follow-up on the cases associated with the Grand Princess cruise ship in addition to the traveler who had recent travel to Washington State via Hawaiian Airlines. Healthcare workers exposed to the individual without proper precautions are being monitored for symptoms for 14 days.

 

Precautions for seniors

Seniors are at a greater risk for COVID-19, especially those who have underlying health conditions. Older adults and individuals with underlying health issues should avoid non-essential travel, including cruises. Neighbor island residents with scheduled medical treatment or follow-up care on Oahu should consult with their doctors. Seniors should avoid large crowds, wash their hands often, and keep medications and groceries on-hand.

 

For the latest situation reports from the World Health Organization, visit who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports.

DOH advises people who think they may have symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their healthcare provider in advance of going to a medical facility.

 

• Tell your provider about your symptoms and any recent travel. Healthcare providers will discuss any possible cases of COVID-19 with DOH to determine if testing is needed.
• Consider utilizing tele-health services, if available.
• Avoid traveling or leaving home if you are sick, except for visiting your doctor after contacting them in advance.

 

Second positive case on Oahu

On March 8, DOH tested a second presumptive positive test result for an elderly adult who is hospitalized in serious condition on Oahu. The individual felt ill on March 2 in Washington State and traveled home to Honolulu on March 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified and trace back investigations are being conducted. The Oahu hospital has taken protective and preventive measures and is working with healthcare workers to ensure health and safety. Information is still being gathered and as more information becomes available, the public will be advised.

 

The first presumptive positive case was announced March 6. That individual was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise in Mexico from Feb. 11-21. After arriving in Mexico, the individual traveled home to Honolulu with no symptoms. While home in Honolulu, the individual became ill on March 1, sought medical care and was tested on March 6. The individual is currently isolated at home and is being monitored daily by DOH. The department is conducting a detailed trace investigation to identify, notify, and provide guidance to all close contacts as quickly as possible.

 

Grand Princess cruise ship

To date, there have been 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (19 crew members and 2 passengers) on the Grand Princess cruise ship that made port calls to Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai on Feb. 26, Honolulu Harbor on Feb. 27, Lahaina, Maui on Feb. 28, and Hilo on Feb. 29. The Department of Health is working closely with the CDC to notify any passengers in Hawaii and trace all close contacts. 

 

The public is advised that exposure risk to tour operators and other hospitality services who interact with visitors on cruises is low. Companies should work on finding out which specific employees actually had close contact (close personal face-to-face contact for more than 10 minutes) with Grand Princess cruise passengers. DOH is contacting companies to gather this information. Companies are advised to notify their workers that there have been individuals from the Grand Princess cruise who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and the overall risk to hospitality workers is low.

 

State Laboratories Division testing

The Hawaii Department of Health is capable of conducting in-state testing for up to 250 individuals per week for COVID-19. Results can be ready within 24-48 hours of a sample being collected. This enhances the state’s prevention and mitigation response capabilities to further safeguard the health of people in Hawaii. It is anticipated that private and clinical labs in California and Hawaii may have testing capability in a few weeks.

 

COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 11, 2020
(updated as new information becomes available)

Number of Presumptive Positive or Confirmed Case(s)	2
Number of Persons Under Investigation (current, testing pending)	6
Number of Persons Under Investigation (closed, testing negative)	23
Number of Persons Under Quarantine	0
Number of Persons Self-Monitoring with DOH supervision	41

 

Of the 41 individuals who are self-monitoring with public health supervision, 36 are on Oahu, 4 are on Maui, and 1 is on Kauai. These numbers fluctuate often as travelers arrive, depart, or begin and end their self-monitoring with supervision by DOH.

 

Presumptive Positive: A presumptive positive result is when a patient has tested positive by a public health laboratory, but results are pending confirmation at CDC. For public health purposes, a presumptive positive result using the CDC test is treated as a positive.

Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory.

Person Under Investigation (PUI): Meets CDC criteria for investigation and testing pending.

Quarantine: Individuals are required to remain in a designated location and separated from others. They are actively monitored by Department of Health staff. Quarantine is enforceable by law.

Monitoring: Individuals voluntarily remain at home and refrain from work, school, gathering places, and public transit. They communicate daily with Department of Health staff.

  

Guidance for schools and childcare programs

The CDC recently posted interim guidance for administrators of childcare programs and K-12 schools to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19. School closures have taken place in Japan and South Korea.

 

Business continuity p lanning

State and county agencies are actively preparing for continuity of business operations to deal with the potential impact of COVID-19. The goal is to enable ongoing operations during a public health emergency. To address concerns about workers who have traveled to China, DOH developed a list of frequently asked questions and answers to guide local businesses.

 

National travel advisories

Before traveling, review Travel Advisories and Alerts for destination(s) at www.travel.state.gov/destination. The State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide specific advice to travelers on their websites.  

 

Preventing the spread of misinformation and disease

The Department of Health is committed to sharing information as it becomes available. People are urged not to spread misinformation or inaccurate statements that are not confirmed, and keep updated and informed on the situation. Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness with these everyday actions.

 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from illnesses, including COVID-19. Keep in mind that supplies are limited and we need to make sure there are enough masks for our front-line health care workers. If you are sick then wear a mask to protect the people around you.
• Prepare for the possibility that people may want to stay home or may be asked to stay home to prevent the spread of illness.

• • If you have daily medication needs, have more than a week’s supply on hand and have as much on hand as your insurance will allow you to have.
  • Not everyone can afford to stock up on supplies or has the space to store them, but anything you can arrange in advance means one less inconvenience or one less trip to the store while you are sick.
  • Make family plans for the possibility of school or day care closures. Do some contingency planning in advance at the family level.

• Sign up for public notifications at health.hawaii.gov/news/covid-19-updates.

 

Screening of arriving passengers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu

Foreign nationals who have traveled to mainland China and Iran within the last 14 days are being denied entry into the U.S. This includes not only people with a China or Iran passport, but all foreign nationals per Department of Homeland Security guidance. The exception is U.S. citizens, legal permanent U.S. residents or their immediate family.

 

Enhanced screening procedures are in place at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for passengers who have traveled to China and Iran within the last 14 days. Airport passenger screening continues to be conducted by federal authorities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

 

# # #

 

 

This email was sent to lynnbaileyHDOH@... why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Hawaii Department of Health · 1250 Punchbowl St · Honolulu, HI 96813-2416 · USA

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

 

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

 

BRUCE S. ANDERSON, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR

                                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2020                                                                                                               20-018

 

Department of Health Steps Up Testing for COVID-19:

About 200 Tests to be Conducted Each Week

 

HONOLULU -- Hawaii is shifting its COVID-19 response efforts into higher gear this week by launching a statewide surveillance testing program to identify cases of community spread of the coronavirus. This additional layer of testing helps detect COVID-19 cases earlier so that appropriate steps can be taken to contain the virus.

 

Community spread is defined as cases that cannot be traced back to a traveler or to those who came in contact with a person who has coronavirus.

 

About 200 COVID-19 tests will be conducted each week under the new program. Samples collected for influenza testing from patients with respiratory symptoms will be randomly selected and also tested for COVID-19. These samples are collected by healthcare providers in doctor’s offices and other outpatient settings. The information will help responders understand the scope of such a spread when it occurs.

 

“This is a major new development in our state’s prevention and mitigation efforts,” said Bruce Anderson, Director of Health. “We’ve been asking for this capability and working with the CDC for weeks to get this program in the field. It will help us focus our prevention and response efforts so that we can keep our communities safe and informed about how the virus is affecting our state.”

 

The Department of Health (DOH) is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement the additional testing. Hawaii is one of many jurisdictions throughout the country that is implementing the program.

 

Anderson said the tests, which will be conducted by the DOH’s State Laboratories Division in Pearl City, will enable the state to identify and notify persons who test positive and take additional actions to try to stop the spread of the virus. DOH will contact the provider and patient in the event of a positive result and provide further guidance.

The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division is expected to receive up to 400 samples per week from participating healthcare providers and will randomly select and test 200 of these for COVID-19 testing. A sample involves taking swabs from the back of the nose or throat of patients with flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, or shortness of breath.

Anderson noted that this new surveillance testing program is being conducted in addition to ongoing testing for Persons Under Investigation (PUI) that is already taking place throughout the state. A PUI is a person who meets the following criteria: has fever and cough or shortness of breath, has traveled to a location that has been affected by the virus, and whose healthcare provider has consulted a disease investigator with the DOH’s Disease Outbreak Control Division.

Hawaii received its COVID-19 laboratory test materials from the CDC in early February and was unable to conduct testing because of defects in the materials received. The DOH State Laboratories Division staff worked closely with the CDC around the clock to complete the validation process and receive approval from the CDC to move forward with the testing procedure in Hawaii on Feb. 28 using the federal criteria for selecting samples for testing. On March 5, the CDC expanded the criteria for testing to include persons with symptoms who had traveled to areas outside of China with known spread of COVID-19. Physicians work with DOH to determine testing of patients who meet the criteria for prioritized testing for COVID-19.

 

If you have general questions about coronavirus, call 2-1-1 or text 877-275-6569. For the latest information on COVID-19 in Hawaii, visit hawaii.gov/covid19. For national information and resources, go to coronavirus.gov.

 

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

BRUCE S. ANDERSON, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2020                                                                                                        20-013

 

COVID-19 Daily Update

 

 

Grand Princess cruise ship

The CDC announced it is investigating confirmed cases of COVID-19 linked to the Grand Princess cruise ship which is returning to San Francisco. That cruise ship is different from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The Grand Princess had two passengers on a cruise to Mexico from Feb. 11-21 who became sick and after deboarding in California were confirmed for COVID-19. The same ship conducted a second cruise from San Francisco and docked in Hawai‘i from Feb. 26-29. While docked in Hawai‘i, an ill crew member was hospitalized and tested negative for COVID-19. At this time, the CDC has not identified a specific risk for Hawai‘i, and DOH will continue to work with them to determine if there is any potential health threat.

Updating physician guidance

Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Medical Advisory Update to alert healthcare providers statewide about updated CDC criteria to guide the evaluation of persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19. The criteria for testing PUI has been expanded to a wider group of patients with symptoms. To make the best use of public health laboratory resources, physicians are advised to prioritize testing for hospitalized patients in serious condition. Physicians are required to contact the Disease Outbreak Control Division for authorization for testing.

 

 

State Laboratories Division testing

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is now capable of in-state testing for COVID-19 and results can be ready within 24-48 hours of a sample being collected. This enhances the state’s prevention and mitigation response capabilities to further safeguard the health of people in Hawai‘i. The FDA is overseeing the development of commercially manufactured test kits for private and clinical laboratories that may be available in a few weeks.

 

No cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawai‘i at this time

 

Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawai‘i. DOH is actively preparing for possible cases and working with state, county, and federal partners including the medical community in Hawai‘i. The following summary shows the number of individuals being monitored or under quarantine. Many of these individuals were identified through screening by federal officials at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. These numbers fluctuate often as travelers arrive, depart, or begin and end their self-monitoring with supervision by DOH.

 

COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 4, 2020
(updated as new information becomes available)

Number of Confirmed Case(s)	0
Number of Persons Under Investigation (current, testing pending)	0
Number of Persons Under Investigation (closed, testing negative)	6
Number of Persons Under Quarantine	0
Number of Persons Self-Monitoring with DOH supervision	72

Of the 72 individuals who are self-monitoring with public health supervision, 65 are on O‘ahu, 2 are on Hawai‘i Island, 3 are on Maui, and 2 are on Kaua‘i. 

 

Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory.

Person Under Investigation (PUI): Meets CDC criteria for investigation and testing pending.

Quarantine: Individuals are required to remain in a designated location and separated from others. They are actively monitored by Department of Health staff. Quarantine is enforceable by law.

Monitoring: Individuals voluntarily remain at home and refrain from work, school, gathering places, and public transit. They communicate daily with Department of Health staff.

 

Guidance for schools and childcare programs

The CDC recently posted interim guidance for administrators of childcare programs and K-12 schools to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19. School closures have taken place in Japan and South Korea.

Business continuity planning

State and county agencies are actively preparing for continuity of business operations to deal with the potential impact of COVID-19. The goal is to enable ongoing operations during a public health emergency. To address concerns about workers who have travelled to China, DOH developed a list of frequently asked questions and answers to guide local businesses.

 

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT)

HDOT Airports Division is diligently working to clean and sanitize the facilities, especially common touchpoints like escalator handrails, doorknobs, and elevator buttons at airports statewide. HDOT is currently working to install additional hand sanitizer dispensers at HNL and neighbor island airports, especially in the lobbies and high passenger volume areas. Airlines are taking precautions by continually cleaning and sanitizing public areas, equipment and aircrafts.

 

National travel advisories

Before you travel, check out Travel Advisories and Alerts for your destination(s) at www.travel.state.gov/destination. The State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide specific advice to travelers on their websites.  

 

Preventing the spread of misinformation and disease

The Department of Health is committed to sharing information as it becomes available. People are urged not to spread misinformation or inaccurate statements that are not confirmed, and keep updated and informed on the situation. Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness with these everyday actions.

 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from illnesses, including COVID-19. Keep in mind that supplies are limited and we need to make sure there are enough masks for our front-line health care workers. If you are sick then wear a mask to protect the people around you.
• Prepare for the possibility that people may want to stay home or may be asked to stay home to prevent the spread of illness.
• If you have daily medication needs, have more than a week’s supply on hand and have as much on hand as your insurance will allow you to have.
• Not everyone can afford to stock up on supplies or has the space to store them, but anything you can arrange in advance means one less inconvenience or one less trip to the store while you are sick.
• Make family plans for the possibility of school or day care closures. Do some contingency planning in advance at the family level.
• Sign up for public notifications at health.hawaii.gov/news/covid-19-updates.

 

Screening of arriving passengers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu

 

Foreign nationals who have traveled to mainland China within the last 14 days are being denied entry into the U.S. This includes not only people with a China passport, but all foreign nationals per Department of Homeland Security guidance. The exception is U.S. citizens, legal permanent U.S. residents or their immediate family.

 

Enhanced screening procedures are in place at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for passengers who have traveled to China and Iran within the last 14 days. Airport passenger screening continues to be conducted by federal authorities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

 

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