Coronavirus in Hawaii
We are at an inflection point here in Hawaii with so much dependence on tourism and shipping most of our foods and materials mostly from the mainland and creating anxiety to those living here. At this point we do have coronavirus reporting on all the Hawaiian islands and testing is still restricted with a doctor’s referral, making this a very difficult time for visitors and also people living on the island to function with the pandemic now happening with Coronavirus in Hawaii. Things are changing on a daily basis here on the islands with our frail health infrastructure that will be inundated with the pandemic going full force from the mainland.
An update as we stand for Coronavirus in Hawaii
As of Wednesday April 1st, we have the 258 total people infected with the virus reporting on all the islands and changing daily including those that are self monitoring for the virus.
** as of Monday 30th – 204 people have become infected with the coronavirus
Oahu – 182
Maui – 26
Kauai – 12
Big Island -18
Dead -1
Pending – 18
Coronavirus is changing on a daily basis and most of the virus is being tracked from visitors coming to the islands at the moment and it’s first case of community spread located in Oahu. Testing of the virus is finally in place on all the islands at medical centers but restrictions are being placed on who can actually come down for testing at various locations in Oahu, Kaui, Maui and the Big Island rolling out at various clinical labs and triage centers in the next week.
** in order to test for Coronavirus you need to get your doctor’s referral to get testing done so contact your medical provider or follow the additional instructions below.
If you feel sick and testing information
If you are feeling all of the typical symptoms to Coronavirus here, following is the criteria for any Coronavirus testing requirements for any possible issues and evaluation
– Patients need to go to their primary care physician to be evaluated for COVID-19.
– If the primary care physician determines the patient needs to be tested for COVID-19, the physician will need to submit the lab order Clinical Labs.
– The patient will be sent to Hilo Medical Center’s testing site, stay inside car, have the lab ordered verified, and present identification and insurance card.
– Once the sample is taken, it will be transferred to Clinical Labs that will send the sample away for testing with an estimated 2-3 day turn-around for results.
– After samples taken, patients will be given be given self-care information at home.
– Results will be sent to the primary care physician, who will inform the patient.
Patients without a Primary Care Provider
– Patients wanting to be tested for COVID-19 who do not have a physician, must go to the Emergency Department for evaluation.
– If the Emergency physicians, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner deems COVID-19 testing appropriate for the patient, a test will be ordered.
State and local government updates
On Tuesday (3/17/20), Gov. David Ige urged visitors to Hawaii to postpone their trips for 30 days or reschedule it for another time. The governor also urged bars and clubs to close and for restaurants to switch to take-out meals rather than sit-down service. All other entertainment venues including movie theaters, visitor attractions and state parks be closed. He also asked churches to suspend their services and activities. Talks are in discussion on how to extend benefits who are not working due to business closings, extended unemployment benefits and health care.
** As of Friday 3/20/20, Gov. David Ige has declared that all incoming flights from international and domestic flights to the islands are required to self quarantine for 14 days to where they are staying and cannot leave for any time frame during the 14 day quarantine.
Each county is acting on its own initiative with Kauai implementing a night time curfew from 9 pm to 5am and the Big Island bar and restaurants still open for business at the moment. Maui is on a pandemic lock down with bars, attractions and other entertainment venues closed and restaurants only available for delivery or take out services.
Airport screening procedure updates
Enhanced screening procedures are in place at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to help keep the public and traveling community safe. An additional feature is the non-contact thermal temperature scanners that are used for incoming passengers from the mainland and foreign countries with current travel bans in effect from China and Iran. Airport passenger screening continues to be conducted by federal authorities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Visiting Hawaii now or soon?
Governor Ige of Hawaii has requested that visitors to all the Hawaiian islands try to put your vacation on hold for 30 days or to reschedule your visit to the islands. If you are planning on still visiting, there are no self quaranteeing requirements at the moment but do check out this travel site for more information on any updates.
Flights are still happening to all the island chain so do check with your airlines for any changes in flight information and procedures for arrivals or departures to Hawaii.
Most airlines will allow for rescheduling or travel waivers to change or cancel your flight.
Check immediately with your hotel or 3rd party consolidator if you can change or cancel your hotel reservation.
Check with your car rental agency with changing or cancelling your reservation.
If you are here for a cruise – check with your cruise line for changes or cancellations to your booking.
All current landings to Hawaii ports are including thermal testing on disembarkment at the ports of call.
If you are already on island, check out these preventative measures below to protect yourself.
Prevention Tips on Coronavirus
Here’s what you can personally do to for your own personal care in avoiding Coronavirus on the islands
Clean your hands often and wash at least for 20 seconds.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Clean and then disinfect frequently used surfaces.
At a time when we are used to spending a lot of time together with friends and family and greeting with hugs and kisses, the best way to avoid the virus is to practice effective social distancing at least 6 feet apart.
If you feel sick, stay home when you can. Contact your physician to review your condition and if you need to get tested.
Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
Get a flu shot update
Visits to local nursing homes and disability centers are strongly discourage for now.
Listen for orders from your local government to stay home mostly online, TV news or on the radio.
Shopping or take out food with Coronavirus
Check out this video on how to treat your grocery food, supplies and even take out food from the virus that can last on containers, plastic and boxes
More resources on Coronavirus in Hawaii
State of Hawaii – Disease Outbreak Control Division
Covid – 19 Frequently asked questions
Learn more about staying safe and healthy at www.coronavirus.gov.
Event cancellations due to Coronavirus in Hawaii
Call 211 or text (877) 275-6569 for general questions about Coronavirus; hours have been extended to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day
We will be frequently updating this page on Coronavirus in Hawaii with new and travel-related information as it becomes available to share with our audience. We recommend bookmarking this page. We may also be writing new articles regarding this evolving situation.
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