Hawai‘i COVID-19 Daily News Digest August 4, 2020

Posted on Aug 4, 2020 in COVID-19

Department of Health:

Honolulu Man is 27th Death Related to Coronavirus

The Honolulu Medical Examiner reported the death of a Honolulu man to the Dept. of Health, who had tested positive for COVID-19. The man was in the 40 to 59-year-old age group and he had underlying medical conditions. He passed away on July 29. An investigation into his cause of death continues, and it is recorded as the 27th COVID-19 death in Hawai‘i since the beginning of the pandemic.

Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson stated, “We all extend our condolences to the family and friends of this man. Every death reminds us how very serious this disease is. Coronavirus can strike down anyone of any age. We can all protect each other and prevent more hospitalizations and deaths.”

Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, August 4, 2020 

Island of Diagnosis 

New Cases 

Reported since 

2/28/2020 

(including new cases) 

O‘ahu 

139

2,221++

Hawai‘i 

5

122

Maui

0

176

Kauai

0

47

Moloka‘i 

0

2

Lana‘i 

0

0

HI residents diagnosed outside of HI

0

23

Total Cases 

144

2,591

Deaths 

1

27

++As a result of updated information, one (1) case from O‘ahu was removed from the counts.

Laboratory* Testing Data  

There were 1,814 additional COVID-19 tests reported via electronic laboratory reporting.

Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories 

Positive 

Negative 

130,712** 

2,448

128,244

*Electronic Laboratory Reporting **20 test results were inconclusive 

HawaiiCOVID19.com

COVID-19 Epidemic Curve Hawaii August 4, 2020

For more tables, charts and visualizations visit the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division: https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/what-you-should-know/current-situation-in-hawaii

Another Day of Triple-Digit COVID-19 Cases

DOH is reporting another day of triple digit coronavirus diagnosis. 144 cases today, with 139 on O‘ahu and five (5) on Hawai‘i Island. The headlines demonstrate that this is not the time for anyone in Hawai‘i to be letting their guard down: These are some examples of clusters that are under investigation:

  • 71 cases linked to a series of funeral events
  • 6 cases linked to a hot yoga class
  • 12 cases associated with a birthday party
  • Multiple household & other clusters associated with social interactions

The majority of new COVID-19 cases continue to be associated with community spread: 24 of today’s newly diagnosed cases and only two associated with travel, though the risk factors for 118 cases are still under investigation.

https://hawaiicovid19.com/27th-death-from-coronavirus-reported/


Department of the Attorney General: 

Returning Resident Arrested for Quarantine Violation 

29-year-old Ivette Rosales, of Honolulu, was arrested Monday morning by Special Agents from the Investigations Division of the Dept. of the Attorney General, for violating the State’s mandatory 14-day traveler quarantine.

Investigators say she returned to O‘ahu on July 21 and a witness reported her leaving her residence to go jogging and shopping on six days, beginning on July 22. She then allegedly moved out of her place-of-quarantine, on Sunday, and did not inform authorities, which is a further violation of her quarantine order. Rosales was booked, charged, and bail was set at $2,000. She is the 26th person to be arrested by Special Agents for quarantine violations.


Hawai‘i State Judiciary: 

South Kohala District Court Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19  

A South Kohala District Court employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The case, which was reported Tuesday, is the only confirmed case of any Judiciary employee statewide. The individual was asymptomatic but took a COVID-19 test as a precautionary measure, unrelated to the person’s work at the Judiciary. The employee is at home self-isolating. All employees at the facility were directed to go home, self-quarantine, monitor their health, and seek advice of a medical provider, including the possibility of getting their own COVID-19 test. DOH will also help conduct contact-tracing.  

The courthouse, which is located in the Waimea Civic Center complex, remains closed. Arrangements are being made for the facility to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Once facility cleaning is complete, reopening of the courthouse will be pending staff availability. As a result of the closure, the Chief Justice issued an order extending the filing deadline for documents due on Aug. 4 in the South Kohala District Court. All documents due to have been filed on Aug. 4 shall be deemed to have been timely filed if they are filed by Aug. 5, 2020. In addition, all hearings or trials canceled due to the closure will be rescheduled to the next available date with due consideration for any statutory mandates.  

https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2020/08/south-kohala-district-court-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19


Hawai‘i Tourism Authority: 

June 2020 Vacation Rental Performance Report  

HTA released its monthly Vacation Rental Performance Report Tuesday and the supply of vacation rentals in Hawai‘i last month was down 61.5-percent, and unit demand was down 92.8-percent compared to the same time last year. Vacation rentals were not on the state’s list of essential businesses at the beginning of June. In Governor David Ige’s ninth supplementary proclamation, signed on June 10, host responsibility was added. The county mayors then enacted their own rules regarding short-term rentals. 

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/5012/hta-june-2020-hawaii-vacation-rental-performance.pdf

3,462 Passengers Arrive on Monday 

Yesterday, a total of 3,462 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 958 visitors and 1,181 returning residents. There was a total of 35 arriving flights. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday but does not show interisland travel.  

AIRPORT ARRIVALS FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2020 

 

KONA 

MAUI 

O‘AHU 

LĪHUʻE 

TOTAL 

Crew 

32 

259 

306 

Transit 

180 

 

183 

Military 

 

 

211 

 

211 

Exempt 

 

 

296 

 

296 

Relocate to Hawai‘i 

13 

50 

248 

16 

327 

Returning Resident 

51 

124 

987 

19 

1,181 

Visitor 

44 

70 

828 

16 

958 

GRAND TOTAL 

118 

277 

3,009 

58 

3,462 

Flights 

26 

35 

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/5013/080420-passenger-count-press-release.pdf


Hawai‘i State Senate: 

Special Committee on COVID-19 to Convene on Thursday 

The special committee on COVID-19 will convene at 2 p.m. on Thursday to assess and advise the Senate regarding the State’s current and future airport procedures, as well as the State’s COVID-19 testing and contract-tracing capacity. The committee will meet with Attorney General Clare Connors, Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson, State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park, State Laboratories Administrator Dr. Edward Desmond, as well as Deputy Director Ross Higashi and DOT Administrator Ford Fuchigami. The meeting will be available for live viewing on ‘Ōlelo Channel 49 on Oʻahu. No public testimony will be accepted.  

https://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com/post/the-senate-special-committee-on-covid-19-meets-august-6 

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PDF: COVID-19 Daily News Digest August 4, 2020