HONOLULU — In-state COVID-19 testing capabilities have been a top concern throughout the pandemic, but an assessment of statewide testing capacity this week shows there are ample supplies of tests that can be conducted in Hawai‘i. It means Hawai‘i residents can breathe a sigh of relief. Healthcare providers can now consider testing patients whom they ...
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HONOLULU – To help protect essential workers who provide mental health services and their patients, the Hawai‘i Department of Health and the Behavioral Health and Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group (BHHSURG) are coordinating the distribution of donated personal protective equipment (PPE) across the state. So far, more than 12,000 surgical masks, among other items, have ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch has issued a Cease and Desist Order to Ahmad Ramadan dba Malama Meals located at 91-100 Farrington Highway. The operation was preparing and providing meals on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, and Molokai. “The operation had multiple food safety issues as it prepared and packaged hot meals ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a case of rat lungworm disease (angiostrongyliasis) contracted on Maui. The individual is a resident of Maui and is the first person this year to test positive for angiostrongyliasis in Hawai‘i. In 2019, there were a total of 9 reported cases. The individual sought treatment and was ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is reminding the public to check for the official Green “Passed” Placard before purchasing food especially from online or roadside vendors that have never been inspected or licensed by the state health officials. Individuals selling prepared foods without a food safety permit put the public at risk of ...
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HONOLULU – May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) and the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Planning Group are highlighting special events to build awareness of the need for comprehensive, coordinated mental health services for children, youth, young adults and their families. ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division (SLD) has distributed a total of 12 Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid test instruments to all counties. The rapid coronavirus tests can produce results within 15 minutes when conducted in a certified laboratory. “Having this capability to test a critically ill patient within 15 ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is using a new digital tool to follow up with individuals who have had close contact with a person identified by DOH as having COVID-19. The tool will improve the efficiency of data collection by public health staff. Until now, Department of Health employees have undertaken the ...
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Hawai‘i Department of Health conducts first virtual pre-opening inspection of new food establishment
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers drive-through in Hawai‘i Kai receives approval to open HONOLULU – This morning, the Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch conducted its first virtual restaurant inspection of a food establishment, an innovative interim emergency procedure to support new businesses and create jobs in a challenging economic environment. Raising Cane’s Chicken ...
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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 investigations and taking appropriate action toward unlicensed adult residential care homes. OHCA has issued a Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) to Mariefe Galvez, owner and operator of an illegal ...
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HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s (DOH) Kaua‘i District Health Office (KDHO) will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, known as a CASPER survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kaua‘i households. Survey teams will go door-to-door, April 22-24, to 30 census tracts that are weighted towards more ...
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HONOLULU – Today, the Behavioral Health and Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group (BHHSURG) launched a website to ensure the continuity of coverage of essential health and homelessness services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The website features resources for providers who work with mental health and homeless populations, including provider Q&A webinars, weekly newsletters, updates from partners, ...
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HONOLULU – Across the state, customers and staff at pharmacies, supermarkets, and take-out food establishments are wearing cloth masks and using physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many local and national chain stores have established controls on how many customers can enter a store at one time. The Joint Information Center has produced ...
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HONOLULU – Based on national guidance released today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommendations from county mayors and state legislators, Gov. Ige and the Hawai‘i Department of Health and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency are formulating a statewide policy on the voluntary use of facemasks. Although there is no current ...
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HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health is reporting the death of a third individual with COVID-19. The elderly O‘ahu resident had been hospitalized in critical condition on life support for several weeks after returning from travel to Washington state. “We offer our sincere condolence to his family and friends at this difficult time,” said ...
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HONOLULU – During routine sampling of drinking water systems across the state, low levels of one organic and one inorganic chemical were detected in water samples collected at the St. Stephen’s Diocesan Center water system on O‘ahu. The St. Stephen’s Diocesan Center water system is a small non-residential system which serves approximately 45 persons near ...
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HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed Serafin “Jun” Colmenares Jr. as the administrator of the State Health Planning & Development Agency (SHPDA). Previously, Colmenares Jr. was the acting administrator for the agency and concurrently serving as SHPDA Comprehensive Health Planning Coordinator, in which he provided staffing for health planning councils in West Oahu, Windward ...
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HONOLULU – Beginning March 30 through July 31, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is launching the “Stay Healthy, Stay at Home” campaign on KHON2, iHeart Media, and in Honolulu Star Advertiser print and digital platforms. The goal of the campaign is to encourage adults, especially seniors, to practice social distancing and good hygiene to ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is warning everyone about the hazards and dangers of using non-approved drugs for COVID-19. Antimalarial drugs have been recently reported as possible treatments against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. While hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine prescription medications have been used for treatment of malaria and certain ...
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HONOLULU – Internal communication of a COVID-19 test at the Dept. of Health resulted in a report being misread and initiated a retest of samples today from an O‘ahu adult, who died on March 20, 2020. This evening the second test came back negative for COVID-19. DOH Director Dr. Bruce Anderson says our focus was ...
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