Hawai‘i COVID-19 Cases Exceed 500 – Only Five in Latest Report
The number of positive COVID-19 cases across the state now stands at 504. However, the latest report shows one of the lowest numbers of new infections in several weeks, at five (5) adults. DOH cautions not to read too much into the low number of cases, as it is likely a reflection of the rate of test reporting over the weekend. O‘ahu had two (2) cases, Hawai‘i Island had one (1) new case, and Maui had two (2) cases. None of the cases is hospitalized at this time.
Update on Maui Memorial Medical Center
As of last night, 34 people at Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC) had tested positive for COVID-19. This includes two (2) healthcare workers and one (1) patient. DOH is including all persons identified as positive within the time period of concern, so the total number does include some cases who represent separate introductions or those with no identified association with other cases at MMMC during the time period of focus. MMMC and DOH continue notifying any patients who may have had care at MMMC, but have since been released or discharged.
Hawai‘i COVID-19 Joint Information Center:
Physical Distancing Posters and Infographics Available in 12 Languages or Dialects
“Physical Distancing,” and “Social Distancing” have become among the most common of phrases uttered during the current COVID-19 pandemic, as people around the globe are encouraged to maintain at least six-feet separation from one another. The Hawai‘i COVID-19 Joint Information Center, in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Dept. of Health’s Office of Language Access, and Anthology Marketing Group and with funding from the visitor industry have created a bank of various sized, printable posters and infographics for businesses, media, and individuals to download for free. All of the posters are translated into ten different languages. The infographics, which can be used for social media, are in English, Hawaiian and Japanese. State agencies are being encouraged to post the graphics on departmental websites and social media platforms and for media organizations to use in print, on-air, and on their various digital platforms. Graphics sized for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are available. Poster languages/dialects are:
Chuukese
Hawaiian
Ilocano
Japanese
Korean
Marshallese
Samoan
Simplified Chinese
Tagalog
Traditional Chinese
Spanish
Vietnamese
Full color posters (8.5×11 vertical, 11×8.5 horizontal, 11×17 vertical, 17×11 horizontal):
Infographics:
Department of Transportation:
Pacific Princess Cruise Ship Arrives in Hawaii
The Pacific Princess cruise ship moored at Honolulu Harbor this morning at 7:30. Four people from O‘ahu were the only ones allowed to disembark the ship but were medically screened before leaving and found to be asymptomatic. They went straight to their homes on private shuttles with a DOT Harbor Police escort to begin their 14-day quarantine. The ship was last at port in Melbourne, Australia on March 28, but no passengers or crew were allowed to disembark at that time either. The ship is scheduled to leave Hawai‘i for its final destination in California this afternoon – after it finishes refueling and loading provisions.
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:
On Easter Sunday 543 people arrived at Hawai‘i airports, including 91 visitors and 132 residents. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out-of-state and does not include interisland travel.
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism:
Department of Land and Natural Resources:
All Offshore Islets And Ahu O Laka Sandbar Now Closed Due To COVID-19
“Blatant disrespect,” by some people over the Easter Weekend three-day holiday has led to the immediate closing of all Hawai‘i Offshore Islets, which are all State Wildlife
Sanctuaries. This includes the popular Mokulua Islets off of Kailua and Lanikai beaches.
In addition, the Ahu o Laka (Kaneohe sandbar), is also closing immediately.
DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Officers (DOCARE) report the disregard for stay-at-home mandates and physical distancing measures over the weekend. Officers issued 20 warnings to boaters at the He’eia Kea Small Boat Harbor on Easter Sunday for violations of the stay-at-home order. DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said, “Our officers observed dozens of people congregating in close-proximity at Ahu o Laka. These dismissive behaviors are unfortunate and unhealthy and is what led to closing the sandbar under Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) relating to the closure of State Wildlife Sanctuaries.” The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is closing the He’eia Kea Small Boat Harbor ramp and all trailer parking spaces tomorrow, April 14.
Similar activity was observed on Mokulua North or Moku Nui Islet, a popular destination for kayakers. All of the offshore islets fall under the jurisdiction of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). DLNR Chair Suzanne Case added, “During this COVID-19 crisis we want people to be able to exercise outdoors individually, but not to party and socialize outdoors which they can do at home by phone or online. We realize these extraordinary steps might overtax other public outdoor resources, but we want everyone to realize that we all have to be very serious about stay-at-home and physical distancing orders. The sooner everyone pays attention to the rules, the quicker life can return to normal, including reopening those places that are normally enjoyed by so many people.”
Violations of the Governor’s Emergency Rules are a misdemeanor and punishable by both fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment.
PDF version of this digest is right here: COVID-19 Daily News Digest April 13, 2020