Hawaii COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 2, 2020
Posted on Apr 2, 2020 in COVID-19Office of the Governor:
Governor Ige’s Message on Second COVID-19 Death
Today, our community received the tragic news of the passing of a second Hawai‘i resident from the COVID-19 virus. Dawn and I express our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends. As we come together with expressions of sympathy and support – we must also remember to help each other, to protect your health and the health of loved ones and your community. Let’s all do our part to get Hawai‘i through this challenging time.
Community Connections Live Chat with Gov. Ige & Dr. Sarah Park
If you missed today’s Facebook Live discussion between Gov. Ige and Hawai‘i State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park, you can watch it here:
https://www.facebook.com/GovernorDavidIge/videos/231887801503699/
Aloha Spirit Alive and Well During COVID-19 Crisis
Helping Hands Hawai‘i is not just the name of a local non-profit organization, it embodies the giving spirit that our island state is famous for, particularly in great times of need, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. With unemployment soaring, businesses shuttering their doors and government and community resources being stretched to their limits, many of Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable and underserved populations are most in need of helping hands. To support the opening of the Ka‘aahi emergency shelter in Iwilei, Helping Hands Hawai‘i is donating flat sheets, blankets, pillows, kitchenware, coffee cups, chairs and soap to equip the 26 units that will be available to families in need, homeless individuals or people who contract the coronavirus and have no other housing. The shelter has 18 three-bedroom units and 8 two-bedroom units capable of housing up to 52 people. Anyone interested in helping please visit:
https://health.hawaii.gov/camhd/bhhsurg-covid19-guidance/
Department of Health:
Second COVID-19 Death Reported
An adult from O‘ahu is the second death reported associated with the coronavirus. The individual was hospitalized. This person passed away last night. DOH is reporting 27 new COVID-19 cases today – all are adults. The majority of cases are residents (20), one (1) is a visitor and six (6) are unknown and pending investigation. There are now a total of 285 presumptive positive or confirmed cases in the state.
HAWAI‘I COVID-19 COUNTS AS OF 12 NOON, APRIL 2, 2020
|
County of Diagnosis |
New Cases |
Reported since 2/28/2020 (including new cases) |
Total Released from Isolation |
|
Honolulu |
24 |
206 |
52 |
|
Hawai‘i |
0 |
18 |
6 |
|
Maui |
1 |
27 |
11 |
|
Kaua‘i |
0 |
12 |
3 |
|
Residents Diagnosed outside HI |
0 |
2 |
|
|
Pending investigation |
2 |
20 |
|
|
Total |
27 |
285 |
72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deaths |
1 |
2 |
|
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:
Today marks one week since the state’s 14-day mandatory self-quarantine
Gov. Ige’s order for all arriving domestic and international passengers to undergo mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival was expanded yesterday to include interisland travelers as well. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel.
|
|
Kona |
Maui |
O‘ahu |
Līhu‘e |
Total |
|
Crew |
10 |
24 |
119 |
6 |
159 |
|
Intended Resident |
2 |
|
64 |
|
66 |
|
Resident |
22 |
15 |
216 |
4 |
257 |
|
Transit |
|
15 |
72 |
|
87 |
|
Visitor |
7 |
3 |
97 |
13 |
120 |
|
Grand Total |
41 |
47 |
553 |
23 |
664 |
|
Flights |
2 |
4 |
15 |
1 |
22 |
https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/4411/040220-passenger-count-press-release.pdf
University of Hawai‘i:
UH President Lassner Announces First COVID-19 Cases
As the number of reported positive cases in Hawaiʻi increases, it has been inevitable that members of our community would eventually test positive. We have now received confirmation that two UH community members have tested positive for COVID-19. Both are in good condition, in isolation at home and in regular contact with health care providers. We wish them both a speedy recovery.
The first case involves an employee at the UH Maui. The last time the individual was on campus was for a brief time on March 30 to pick up personal items. The employee practiced safe social distancing with the handful of employees that they came into contact with and did not come into contact with students. The last time the individual was on campus before March 30 was on March 19, the week of spring break, when classes were out.
The second case involves a graduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The last time the student was on campus was Saturday, March 14, the weekend spring break started, and was rarely on campus this semester. It is not known if the individual was infectious on March 14, now more than 14 days ago. However, this notice is being issued out of an abundance of caution.
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/04/02/covid-19-positive-tests/
Department of Public Safety:
No confirmed cases of COVID-19 in prisons or jails
PSD has updated results of tests on inmates in state prisons or jails as follows:
|
Facilities |
Tested |
Results Pending |
Negative |
Inconclusive |
Positive |
# in Isolation |
# in Quarantine |
|
HCF |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
HCCC |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
KCCC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
KCF |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
MCCC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
OCCC |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
WCCC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
WCF |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- On 3/26/20 the individual listed under HCCC was sent to the hospital for treatment due to poor response to confirmed Influenza A. The hospital conducted a COVID-19 test as a precaution on 3/26/20. The test came back negative on 3/27/20.
- The test listed under OCCC was administered by a hospital prior to entry on 4/1/20 and is pending results. That individual is not exhibiting any symptoms. OCCC staff executed their procedures to place the individual directly into medical isolation out of an abundance of caution until outside test results are obtained.
The facilities have longstanding outbreak management plans in place to quickly identify, isolate and treat communicable diseases. PSD adheres to the Department of Health medical guidance on testing for COVID-19, which currently recommends a testing panel be done to rule out other respiratory diseases before COVID-19 tests are considered.
Hawai‘i State Judiciary:
Supreme Court Appoints Special Master
The Hawaii Supreme Court issued an order today addressing two pending petitions filed by the State Office of the Public Defender regarding the release or changes in the conditions of confinement of inmates amid concerns of a potential COVID-19 outbreak in Hawaii’s correctional centers and facilities. In its order, the court consolidated the two petitions and appointed retired Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) Judge Daniel R. Foley as Special Master to work with the parties in a collaborative and expeditious manner to address the issues raised in the petitions, and to recommend a resolution while protecting public health and safety. An initial summary report from the Special Master is due by April 9, 2020.
Department of Transportation:
Want to Know about Traffic?
HDOT has begun sharing traffic volume data on major state routes during the stay-at-home period associated with the COVID-19 crisis. Once the crisis ends, the department will continue to update data as an economic indicator. The data now is helping to verify the capabilities of highways to accommodate extended lane closure hours and to provide general data on compliance with the Governor’s Emergency Proclamations.
Department of Land and Natural Resources:
STATE SMALL BOAT HARBOR AND OTHER RESTROOMS COULD CLOSE AGAIN
Last Wednesday, all DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) restrooms statewide at state small boat harbors (SBH) and boat ramps reopened. Since then, vandalism, destruction and filth has occurred at these public restroom facilities and criminal activities at these sites have scared away individuals trying to use these them. Toilet paper has been stolen from all bathrooms and almost all have had their dispensers broken. At least one restroom facility has been closed due to the toilet being stuffed with materials. Currently, Wai’anae SBH is not facing the destruction and disregard that other SBH restrooms are experiencing. The Pu’uhonua o Wai’anae and Hui Aloha asked DOBOR to open bathrooms and have offered to assist in maintaining them and caring for them. The two community groups have set up bathroom brigades to curb vandalism and ensure facilities there are stocked with supplies. Under their stewardship the Wai’anae SBH restrooms are otherwise spotless. However, because of vandalism at night, DLNR in consultation with the Pu’uhonua, will be closing the Wai’anae restrooms at 4:00 p.m. daily. If any community groups would like to help for any DLNR restrooms or other public comfort stations please contact the Behavioral Health and Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group (BHH-SURG) at:
https://health.hawaii.gov/camhd/bhhsurg-covid19-guidance/
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/04/02/nr20-043/
State Cancels Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Due To COVID-19 Risks
The 2020 deer rifle season within the Lana‘i Cooperative Game Management Area, is being cancelled due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The season was scheduled to run through May 17, 2020. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) reports efforts are underway to notify hunters who are impacted by this cancellation.
A new date for the hunt has not been set, but DOFAW noted that it will make every effort to provide an Axis deer hunting opportunity later this the year if the risk of spreading the coronavirus is no longer a threat. The Lana‘i deer hunting season is very popular, bringing hundreds of visitors to the island from in-state and out-of-state. With both domestic and interisland travel restricted and passengers under mandatory self-quarantine measures, it would be very difficult for hunters to even get to Lana‘i. Additional information on available hunting opportunities: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/
Department of Defense:
More Information on Major Disaster Declaration
The Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) is already moving to support an expedited process for Personal Assistance through an online application process with our State Partners, which will help with the volume of applicants from this unprecedented incident and its consequent reimbursements. Staff will be allotted for these and we are working on a request for these resources. Yesterday President Trump declared a major disaster for the State of Hawai’i as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This declaration, makes the State of Hawai’i eligible for reimbursement through the Public Assistance Program at a 75% Federal Cost Share. The Individual Assistance (IA) Program for disaster-related emergency facilities and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG) for mitigation measures to reduce the risk of life are currently under review.
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism:
Take Time to Reply to 2020 Census
Your ʻohana counts. In this time of crisis, we need to count everyone living in Hawai‘i for the 2020 Census. Funding for our state government and local communities depends on the Census count. It supports public schools, student loans for college, special education, Medicaid and Medicare, roads, public housing, food assistance programs, social services, and much more.
Hawai‘i’s response rate has been lower than the national average: 33.9% vs. 41.3% as of April 1. Shape Hawai‘i’s future and respond to the 2020 Census online at my2020census.gov, call 1-844-330-2020, or return your census forms by mail.
Hawai‘i State Senate:
Hana Highway restrooms remain closed
Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and Kaho‘olawe) announced today that public restrooms along the Hana Highway will remain closed until further notice while the highway is restricted to local traffic only.
“The Hana Highway is closed to slow the spread of COVID-19 into the remote East Maui community, where supplies are limited and emergency medical help is very far away,” said Senator English. “No one should be using the highway except for East Maui residents needing emergency assistance and life-saving necessities not available in Hana.” The DLNR Division of State Parks maintains two restrooms along the Hana Highway at Kaumahina and Pua‘aka‘a Wayside parks that are now closed until further notice. In addition, Waiʻānapanapa State Park and its restrooms are also closed due to COVID-19. “I know there are kupuna who want to use these restrooms when they must make the long trip into town, but they are the very people who should be avoiding contact with these public toilets,” said Senator English.
# # #