COVID-19

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s (DOH) State Laboratories Division (SLD) confirms the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, also known as the Omicron variant, has been detected in the islands. “This isn’t reason for panic, but it is reason for concern. It’s a reminder the pandemic is ongoing. We need to protect ourselves by getting vaccinated, ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health laboratory detects Omicron variant in Hawai‘i

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is adopting stronger guidelines from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Effective immediately, all adults age 18 and older who completed their primary mRNA vaccinations of Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago should receive a single COVID-19 booster dose. ...
Read More DOH recommends all vaccinated adults receive a booster

Celebrate Thanksgiving safely

Posted on Nov 23, 2021 in COVID-19, Newsroom

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) reminds everyone to celebrate smartly this holiday season. “Many people in Hawai‘i are fully vaccinated and should be able to get together with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. We’ve taken big steps forward and our behavior in the coming weeks can show that we really ...
Read More Celebrate Thanksgiving safely

Booster eligibility expands

Posted on Nov 19, 2021 in COVID-19, Newsroom

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is adopting new guidelines from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Effective immediately all adults age 18 and older who completed their primary mRNA vaccinations of Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago are eligible for boosters. The following recipients ...
Read More Booster eligibility expands

HONOLULU – A Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) analysis of vaccine breakthrough data found COVID-19 vaccines provide excellent protection against hospitalization and death. A vaccine breakthrough infection occurs when a fully vaccinated person tests positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing their initial vaccine series. ...
Read More Vaccines prove effective in analysis of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 breakthrough data

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) today ordered Embry Health to immediately cease and desist collecting specimens for COVID-19 tests in the State of Hawai‘i without a license, permit or written approval. DOH also levied a $207,000 administrative penalty. Embry Health has been operating COVID-19 testing collection depots on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island. ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health issues cease & desist, 7,000 penalty to Embry Health for conducting unauthorized COVID-19 testing

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to train, deploy and engage community health workers as part of its public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Community health workers are frontline health workers who provide assistance in accessing ...
Read More .2 Million grant to augment community health workforce training programs statewide

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health is authorizing certified vaccination providers to administer Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5-11 immediately. This authorization is consistent with recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today. “The CDC reviewed the clinical data and determined the vaccine is safe. The Pfizer vaccine is effective ...
Read More Vaccine for children safe and effective

HONOLULU – The Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) will offer free COVID-19 rapid testing at the Lanakila Health Center Saturday, October 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Testing will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Appointments are not required.  Wait times can vary, but please anticipate waiting 30 minutes or longer. Results will ...
Read More Free COVID testing at Lanakila Health Center

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health will adopt the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines on COVID-19 booster doses for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. “Boosters doses are common for many vaccines and will provide additional protection to Hawai‘i residents at higher risk for severe illness or occupational exposure,” said ...
Read More DOH authorizes booster doses for Moderna, Johnson & Johnson vaccines

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is planning for the likely administration of COVID-19 vaccinations to children 5-11 as it closely monitors federal review of the Pfizer vaccine for this age group. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must authorize use of the vaccine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and ...
Read More DOH prepares for likely authorization of COVID-19 vaccine for keiki 5-11

More than 420,000 not fully vaccinated HONOLULU – Data compiled by the Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) show more than one-million people in Hawai‘i are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “It’s great to see so many people in Hawai‘i follow the science. We are thrilled that over a million people are fully vaccinated. That leaves an ...
Read More One million in Hawai‘i complete vaccinations

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is offering guidance to help families have a safe and fun Halloween. “Celebrating Halloween is a special event for families, and it is possible to take steps to celebrate safely. Outdoor gatherings are safer, and consistent handwashing and mask wearing are recommended,” said Director of Health Dr. ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health Offers Halloween Safety Guidance

More than 426,000 Hawai‘i Residents Have Not Completed Vaccination HONOLULU – Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char released the following statement on 70% of Hawaii residents completing COVID-19 vaccination: “While we are encouraged that 70% of Hawai‘i residents have made the choice to protect themselves and our community through vaccination, there is more ...
Read More As DOH Marks 70% of Hawai‘i Residents Fully Vaccinated, Director Char Urges Continued Vigilance

Vaccination critical to protect against both illnesses HONOLULU – Dr. Sarah Kemble, Hawaiʻi Department of Health state epidemiologist, released the following statement on mortality rates involving COVID-19 and influenza: “In Hawaiʻi and around the world, COVID-19 was far deadlier than the flu during the 2020-2021 flu season. There was one confirmed influenza death in Hawaiʻi ...
Read More DOH: COVID-19 far deadlier than influenza

HONOLULU – The Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) will offer free COVID-19 rapid testing at the Lanakila Health Center on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Testing will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments are not required.  Wait times can vary, but please anticipate waiting 30 minutes or longer. Results ...
Read More Lanakila Health Center hosts no-cost COVID-19 testing on O‘ahu

HONOLULU – The Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) in conjunction with the Hawai‘i National Guard will offer free COVID-19 rapid testing in Nanakuli every Wednesday in October from 3 – 6 p.m. Free testing will be available at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center – Nanakuli Clinic at 87-2070 Farrington Highway behind McDonald’s. Wednesday, October ...
Read More Free COVID testing events in Nanakuli

First priority remains providing access to unvaccinated individuals 65+, 50-64 with underlying conditions prioritized for booster HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health is issuing prioritization guidelines for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in order to implement the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations on COVID-19 booster doses. First and second doses should ...
Read More DOH authorizes Pfizer booster doses, prioritizes first shots & kupuna

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is one of 30 states to receive a $2.2 million federal Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) grant, providing the state $445,000 a year for the next five years, $2.2 million total, to address pediatric mental health care for children and youth ages 3 to 21 years. ...
Read More Department of Health receives .2 million federal grant to address pediatric mental health in Hawaiʻi

Oʻahu residents in eligible ZIP codes can order free COVID-19 test kits while supplies last at COVIDTestHonolulu.org HONOLULU – Oʻahu was selected for a federal pilot program that will provide free at-home COVID-19 test kits to eligible residents. The Say Yes! COVID Test At-Home Testing Challenge will provide 125,000 Oʻahu residents who live in eligible ...
Read More Oʻahu selected for federal pilot program to provide one million free at-home COVID-19 tests