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Latest COVID-19 (Coronavirus) updates

DOH recommends Respiratory Virus ImmunizationsPosted on September 4, 2024 in COVID-19, Newsroom
DOH RECOMMENDS RESPIRATORY VIRUS IMMUNIZATIONS HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) recommends the recently updated 2024-2025 flu and COVID-19 vaccines for all persons 6 months of age and older as well as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization for newborns and infants, pregnant persons, adults over 75 and those 60-74 with certain chronic […]
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NEW DOH RESPIRATORY DISEASE DASHBOARD SHOWS INCREASING COVID-19 ACTIVITYPosted on May 28, 2024 in COVID-19, Newsroom
Everyday Prevention Measures Can Slow the Spread HONOLULU — COVID-19 activity is on the rise, according to a new Respiratory Disease Activity dashboard released by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH).   The dashboard, developed by the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD), provides an at-a-glance snapshot of current respiratory disease activity statewide, including […]
Read More NEW DOH RESPIRATORY DISEASE DASHBOARD SHOWS INCREASING COVID-19 ACTIVITY
DOH supports new CDC guidelines on COVID-19Posted on March 1, 2024 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is in general agreement with today’s updated COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DOH continuously reviews data on respiratory pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19. The new guidelines reflect the current level of risk, while still protecting the most vulnerable. The advisement […]
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New 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines offers enhanced protectionPosted on September 14, 2023 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) recommends use of the new 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines newly approved and authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to protect against the most common forms of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. The new vaccines address the XBB-lineages of the Omicron variant that accounts for 99% of COVID-19 cases […]
Read More New 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines offers enhanced protection
Department of Health reminds the public to be vigilant due to uptick in COVID-19 hospital admission levelsPosted on August 11, 2023 in COVID-19, Newsroom
The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) reminds the public to be vigilant due to a steady increase of reported cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i since June 2023. As of Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that COVID-19 hospital admission levels for both the City and County of […]
Read More Department of Health reminds the public to be vigilant due to uptick in COVID-19 hospital admission levels
Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 ends on May 11, 2023Posted on May 11, 2023 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU, HI –The federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, will expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. As the PHE ends, high levels of vaccination, widespread population immunity, and available treatments have significantly reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 disease, […]
Read More Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 ends on May 11, 2023
Seniors now eligible for additional COVID-19 bivalent booster dose, COVID vaccine recommendations simplifiedPosted on April 20, 2023 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) supports the latest recommendations announced yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allowing an additional dose of the bivalent booster against the virus that causes COVID-19 for individuals at increased risk for severe infection. CDC’s announcement also simplifies vaccination schedules to allow bivalent […]
Read More Seniors now eligible for additional COVID-19 bivalent booster dose, COVID vaccine recommendations simplified
Hawai‘i COVID-19 hospitalizations on the risePosted on April 5, 2023 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) reports a rise in the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The number of total positive COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased over the past week (3/26 – 4/4) from 39 to 74 patients, which is an 89.7% increase. “Our hospitals still have capacity”, says State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “However, […]
Read More Hawai‘i COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise
Celebrate a COVID-19 free holiday by taking simple safety precautionsPosted on December 21, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health encourages people to celebrate the holidays safely by taking simple steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. “The past few years COVID-19 illness increased during the holidays after people got together to celebrate,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP. “We encourage celebrations, […]
Read More Celebrate a COVID-19 free holiday by taking simple safety precautions
Updated COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months coming soonPosted on December 9, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health has placed orders to supply participating healthcare providers with updated COVID-19 bivalent vaccines for children as young as six months of age. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for keiki-sized vaccines Thursday, December 8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded the use […]
Read More Updated COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months coming soon
Novavax COVID-19 boosters available in Hawai‘iPosted on October 19, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) announces the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 booster by Novavax and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DOH are allowing use of the COVID-19 booster by Novavax. Novavax monovalent COVID-19 boosters are recommended for adults 18 and older for […]
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COVID-19 bivalent boosters recommended for children five and olderPosted on October 12, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Department of Health (DOH) recommends COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccines for everyone age five and older. Bivalent boosters are the first COVID-19 vaccinations designed specifically to protect against original COVID-19 and the most common forms of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i, the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants. The BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants account for almost […]
Read More COVID-19 bivalent boosters recommended for children five and older
Wastewater data consistent with important COVID-19 metricsPosted on October 4, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Department of Health (DOH) published a COVID-19 Wastewater Report on Thursday, September 29. The report shows COVID-19 cases have declined since early June and the Omicron subvariant BA.5 is the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. “Data from wastewater testing aligns with other data sets,” said State Laboratories Division (SLD) Administrator Edward […]
Read More Wastewater data consistent with important COVID-19 metrics
COVID-19 reinfection rate risingPosted on September 28, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Department of Health (DOH) is enhancing the Hawai‘i COVID-19 data dashboard to include reinfections. The percentage of COVID-19 cases involving individuals who had a prior infection is growing over time and now accounts for about 10% of new confirmed cases. “The data on reinfections underscores what we have been saying; that limited […]
Read More COVID-19 reinfection rate rising
New bivalent COVID-19 boosters offer enhanced protectionPosted on September 1, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) recommends the use of the first bivalent booster vaccines designed specifically to protect against original COVID-19 and the most common forms of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i, the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants. The BA.5 subvariant accounts for an estimated 91% of the COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i. The BA.4 […]
Read More New bivalent COVID-19 boosters offer enhanced protection
Kaua‘i District Health Office survey finds majority remain concerned about COVID-19Posted on August 16, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
LIHUE – The Department of Health’s (DOH) Kaua‘i District Health Office released the preliminary report of its July Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey to assess the community’s perception of Kauaʻi’s COVID-19 response efforts and current emergency preparedness level.  “The results of this survey show us that Kaua‘i residents continue to feel […]
Read More Kaua‘i District Health Office survey finds majority remain concerned about COVID-19
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine available in Hawai‘iPosted on August 10, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health announces scheduling opportunities for the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax. Novavax is a two-dose primary series vaccine for individuals 18 and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends administering the second dose three to eight weeks after the first. Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine. It […]
Read More Novavax COVID-19 vaccine available in Hawai‘i
Kaua‘i District Health Office to conduct survey to assess COVID-19 response efforts & emergency preparednessPosted on July 12, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
LIHUE – The Department of Health’s (DOH) Kaua‘i District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey to assess the community’s perception of Kauaʻi’s COVID-19 response efforts and current emergency preparedness level.  “The responses will help us understand the community’s perception of our COVID-19 response efforts over the past […]
Read More Kaua‘i District Health Office to conduct survey to assess COVID-19 response efforts & emergency preparedness
Moderna vaccine now an option for children ages 6-17Posted on June 24, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is adopting the CDC recommendation that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine be used as an option for children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years. The COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech is already available for people in this age group. “Vaccine eligibility is now simple and easy to understand. […]
Read More Moderna vaccine now an option for children ages 6-17
Children under five eligible for COVID-19 vaccinesPosted on June 20, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
Parents encouraged to explore vaccination opportunities HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is excited to announce long awaited COVID-19 vaccines for keiki under the age of five will soon be available. DOH is authorizing enrolled COVID-19 vaccination providers to administer the vaccines as soon as they become available. DOH is expecting delivery of […]
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Celebrate graduates safelyPosted on May 20, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) salutes the Class of 2022. DOH recognizes the importance of graduations and what they mean to Hawai’i families. DOH encourages graduates and their families to celebrate safely. Here are tips to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 while honoring our graduates. Celebrate outdoors Wear masks outdoors if […]
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Keiki ages 5-11 eligible for COVID-19 boosters, Second booster shots recommended for 50+ and immunocompromisedPosted on May 19, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is adopting guidance from the CDC recommending boosters for children ages 5 through 11 and strengthening booster recommendations for others. Children ages 5 through 11 are encouraged to receive a COVID-19 booster shot five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. “It’s exciting that children 5 to 11 […]
Read More Keiki ages 5-11 eligible for COVID-19 boosters, Second booster shots recommended for 50+ and immunocompromised
Additional booster shots availablePosted on March 29, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is adopting the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19 booster shots. Effective immediately, people who received their first booster shot at least four months ago may receive a second booster shot of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) if: […]
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State moves to weekly COVID data reportingPosted on March 9, 2022 in COVID-19, Newsroom
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is transitioning from daily to weekly COVID-19 data reporting effective immediately. Case counts and vaccination updates will be published on the DOH COVID-19 dashboard every Wednesday beginning March 16. “Our decisions have always been based on trends, not single day counts. There is greater focus now on […]
Read More State moves to weekly COVID data reporting