News Releases from Department of Health

Office of the Governor: Today is the first day of the governor’s order that all arrivals to Hawai‘i undergo, mandatory, 14-day-long self-quarantine. This applies to all visitors and returning Hawai‘i residents. Initial reports indicate that incoming airport traffic was light, as expected, and that the process on this first day of the mandatory order, for […]

Office of the Governor: Gov. David Ige’s third supplementary proclamation Monday, ordering the entire state to stay at home and work from home started today and continues through April 30, 2020 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Mar. 25 through Apr. 30. Essential workers are exempt. This order is intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. […]

First COVID-19 Death Report Undergoing Confirmation The Dept. of Health continues to investigate the death of an elderly adult on O‘ahu. Irregularities in testing conducted by the State Laboratories Division prompted DOH leadership to order retesting. The State lab initially received an indeterminate test from a private testing lab and late yesterday the state lab […]

Honolulu and Maui Stay-at-Home Orders Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Maui Mayor Michael Victorino have issued stay-at-home, work-at-home orders for their islands. In the City and County of Honolulu the order takes effect today (March 23, 2020) at 4:30 p.m. and requires all residents to stay and work from home through Thursday, April 30, 2020 […]

Governor’s Order for Self-Quarantine of All Travelers to Hawai‘i Effective, Thursday, March 26, 2020, Governor David Ige has ordered that all persons entering the State of Hawai‘i to self-quarantine for 14 days or for the duration of their stay in Hawai‘i, whichever is shorter. Upon arrival, residents are required to self-quarantine in a designated location […]

Be Considerate When Purchasing Food and Supplies The DOH reminds the public to be judicious when shopping for food and essential goods so that kūpuna and others in need are able to purchase necessary items. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors Division continues to manage Hawai‘i’s commercial ports–the lifeline for Hawai‘i communities for food, […]

The Importance of Mental Health As we head into the weekend, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) encourages everyone to take care of themselves and heed the social distancing directives by Gov. David Ige and county officials. Here are four suggestions to keep busy and stay at ease: You can remain active and go outdoors […]

Counties Roll Out Plans to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 Following the State of Hawai‘i’s plan for “15-Days to Slow the Spread” of COVID-19, Hawai‘i’s mayors have recently implemented county plans that are geared to their island residents. Department of Health supports everyone’s efforts to keep the community safe and healthy. “We can be more […]

DOH Launches New, Dedicated COVID-19 Website Today Today, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) unveiled a new website for the public to access the latest information on COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. The State of Hawai‘i has mobilized an inter-agency collaborative effort to keep the community safe and healthy. The website, hawaiicovid19.com will go live at 3pm. […]

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 […]

Three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 identified on O‘ahu and Maui  As of March 16, 2020, as of 3:30 pm, there are a total of 10 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. Three new positive results were announced today for two O‘ahu residents, and one visitor on Maui. The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring all of these individuals and supervising their isolation as […]

Additional test results received from private laboratories – individuals exposed during out-of-state travel  As of March 15, 2020, there are a total of seven confirmed positive test results for COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. Three of the seven positive results were announced today for two O‘ahu residents and one visitor on Maui.  All of the cases are […]

As of March 14, 2020, there are a total of 4 confirmed positive test results for COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. Two positive results were announced today for two visitors on Kaua‘i who traveled from Indiana. The Department of Health received the test results last night and immediately notified the County of Kauaʻi and the Centers for Disease Control […]

Hawaii Department of Health Guidance on Public Events and Group Gatherings To protect the public’s health and wellbeing, the Hawa‘i Department of Health is recommending large, crowded gatherings or public events that include 100 people or more be postponed or canceled. These events include concerts and conferences, as well as professional, college and school sporting […]

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 […]

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 [email protected] Visit health.hawaii.gov/covid19 or coronavirus.gov   Media Reports […]

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 […]

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. Avoid large crowds, wash your hands, and keep medications and groceries on-hand. Public is advised to call 2-1-1 for information on COVID-19 For […]

Second presumptive positive case on Oahu Today, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has 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 while in Washington State, and on March 4 returned home to Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines flight […]

First presumptive positive case on Oahu Yesterday, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) announced presumptive positive test results for a person under investigation on Oahu. The 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 […]

First presumptive positive case on Oahu The Department of Health today announced the first positive test results for a person under investigation on Oahu. The individual was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise in Mexico and became ill after flying home to Oahu. Patient is currently isolated at home with mild to moderate symptoms. […]

Grand Princess cruise ship The CDC is continuing to monitor passengers aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship that is waiting to return to San Francisco. The Grand Princess had two passengers on a cruise to Mexico from Feb. 11-21 who became sick and after disembarking in California were confirmed for COVID-19. The same ship conducted […]

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 […]

No cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawai‘i at this time Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawai‘i. The Department of Health is actively preparing for possible cases and working with state, county, and federal partners including the medical community in Hawai‘i. The following summary as of March 3 shows the number of individuals being monitored or […]