News Releases from Department of Health

DOH State Laboratories Division now capable of COVID-19 testing Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) 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 is a new, major development that enhances the state’s prevention and mitigation response capabilities to further safeguard the health ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 29, 2020

DOH State Laboratories Division now capable of COVID-19 testing Hawaii Department of Health is now capable of in-state testing for COVID-19 and, on average, results can be ready within 24-48 hours of a sample being collected. This is a new, major development that enhances the state’s prevention and mitigation response capabilities to further safeguard the ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 28, 2020

HONOLULU – The Department of Health (DOH) Neurotrauma Supports Program kicks off National Brain Injury Awareness Month by unveiling the UnMasking Brain Injury Mobile Exhibit at the “Rock It, Don’t Stock It” rally on March 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa, Campus Center, located at 2465 Campus Road, ...
Read More National Brain Injury Awareness Month Kicks Off with “Rock It, Don’t Stock It” Rally March 4 at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

New Case in California The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 in California in a person who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19. At this time, the patient’s exposure is unknown. This case brings the ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 27, 2020

eWIC provides a faster, more flexible and simpler way to pay for groceries HONOLULU, HAWAII — Following the successful launch of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card on Kaua‘i, the Hawai‘i Department of Health will now extend the benefit to Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program participants on March 3, 2020, making access to healthy ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health extends electronic benefit card for the Women, Infants, and Children program participants on O‘ahu

Prepare now for potential risks The public health response is multi-layered, with the goal of detecting and minimizing COVID-19. While there are no cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaii at this time, state health officials do expect to eventually identify cases in Hawaii because this is a global health threat to our entire nation. At this ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 26, 2020

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA) is committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of seniors by conducting ongoing investigations and taking appropriate action toward unlicensed adult residential care homes.  OHCA has issued a Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) to Emily Lee, owner and operator of ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance cites Emily Lee for illegally operating unlicensed adult residential care home

National Travel Advisories The U.S. State Department has issued a level 4 travel advisory asking people not to travel to China due to the COVID-19 outbreak. There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas. A level 2 travel advisory has been issued for South Korea and Japan and advises people to exercise ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 25, 2020

National Travel Advisory The State Department has set Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) for travel to Japan and South Korea. No travel restrictions are in place. Still the State Department recommends that for certain high risk groups (older adults and those with chronic medical conditions), postponing of non-essential travel should be discussed with a healthcare ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 24, 2020

National Travel Advisory The State Department has set Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) for travel to Japan and South Korea. No travel restrictions are in place. Still the State Department recommends that for certain high risk groups (older adults and those with chronic medical conditions), postponing of non-essential travel should be discussed with a healthcare ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 23, 2020

Quarantine Today, the adult resident under mandatory quarantine at the Pearl Harbor quarantine center was released and reunited with his family. During his stay in quarantine, the individual had no symptoms and was in good health. After a final temperature check, he was released today, and there is no one in Hawaii under mandatory quarantine ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 22, 2020

2/20/20 Marks Japan Visitor’s End Date of Infectious Period February 20 was the last day that any individual who might have been infected by exposure to the visitor would be expected to show symptoms. At this time, there is no indication of transmission or related illness. The investigation has not yielded anyone who many have ...
Read More COVID-19 Daily Update February 21, 2020

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch has issued a $120,000 administrative penalty to Erin N. Carillo and Thomas H. Hernandez, the promoters of the Honolulu Tattoo Expo for aiding and abetting 12 unlicensed tattoo artists to practice the occupation of tattooing at a public event at the Hawaii Convention Center ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health issues maximum 0,000 penalty to Honolulu Tattoo Expo for violating public health laws by using 12 unlicensed tattoo artists at public event

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) was notified today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that an adult male who traveled to Maui from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3 and to Oahu from Feb. 3-7 has been confirmed for COVID-19. The individual is a Japanese national who developed severe symptoms, ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health notified of confirmed COVID-19 case who traveled to Maui and Oahu

HONOLULU – Nearly 500 individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members, service providers and advocates from all islands will convene at the Hawai‘i State Capitol to celebrate their abilities during the 20th annual Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 5, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will highlight national Developmental Disabilities ...
Read More Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month kicks off with Day at the Capitol March 5

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has approved Hawai‘i Island licensee Hawaiian Ethos LLC for its second licensed medical cannabis dispensary retail center located at 64-1035 Mamalahoa Hwy., Unit J, Waimea, HI 96743. There are now 13 licensed retail dispensary locations operating on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. Hawaiian Ethos opened ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health approves fifth dispensary on Hawai‘i Island to begin retail sales of medical cannabis