Hawaii Daily COVID-19 Update: 1/28

4 years ago4 years ago Linda Hohnholz - editor

Hawaii Daily COVID-19 update of coronavirus reports and statistics from government departments as of Thursday, January 28, 2021 in the Aloha State.

Department of Health:

https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/what-you-should-know/current-situation-in-hawaii/

Weekly COVID-19 Cluster Report

Key Updates: COVID-19 Clusters in Hotel and Accommodation Related Settings

• COVID-19 clusters in hotel and accommodation settings are of concern in Hawai’i. Hotel workers might

come into contact with the virus when in close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more)

with other people at work, which can include both guests and coworkers. Because hotel industry

employees have contact with travelers arriving from parts of the world that may be experiencing

outbreaks of COVID-19, concern is heightened that those working in and adjacent to the hotel and

accommodation industry could be a source of local outbreaks if they contract COVID-19 at work and

then transmit it to household members and other community contacts.

• Hawai‘i State Department of Health Disease Investigators are currently investigating two clusters in

the state associated with hotel and accommodation settings, involving a total of nine (9) cases so far.

All cases identified have been among hotel employees, including those working in housekeeping and

concierge departments.

• Risk factors for transmission of COVID-19 that have been identified as potential contributors in local

clusters associated with hotel and accommodation settings have included insufficient spacing in the

lunchroom between employees, improper mask usage, and potentially inadequate measures to

reduce environmental contamination when turning over rooms between guests.

• The Hawai‘i State Department of Health recommends strictly enforcing mask usage on shared

residential and all commercial property, continually emphasizing how to correctly wear a mask,

providing ample space for shared employee spaces like lunchrooms, allowing guest rooms to remain

untouched for 24 hours before cleaning whenever possible. It is also recommended that employees

reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission while carpooling to and from work by having the windows

rolled down in the car whenever possible and making sure that the driver and all passengers wear

masks for the entire trip.

• More information on COVID-19 prevention in hotels, resorts, or lodges can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/hotel-employees.html

Daily Preliminary Vaccine Administration Updates

The chart below will be included in the Daily News Digest, Monday-Friday. A weekly summary with final vaccination numbers will be included each Wednesday.

100 New COVID-19 Cases & Two Additional Deaths Reported

DOH reports 100 new cases of coronavirus today. Two (2) deaths are also being reported today.

Deaths:

Oahu

1 Male, 70-79 yrs, underlying conditions, hospitalized

1 Female, 90-99 yrs, underlying conditions, hospitalized

This report includes cases up until Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Full data is posted on the State COVID-19 dashboard and on the DOH Disease Outbreak & Control Division website at noon each day at hawaiicovid19.com/dashboard.

Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 11:59 p.m. Jan. 26, 2021

Island of Diagnosis	New Cases	Reported since 2/28/2020 (including new cases)
O‘ahu	65	20,707
Hawai‘i	7	2,139
Maui	21	1,682
Kaua‘i	0	178
Moloka‘i	0	25
Lānaʻi	1	107
HI residents diagnosed outside of HI	6	703
Total Cases	100	25,541++
Deaths	2	406

Hospitalizations as of 8:30 a.m. on 1/26/21 – Hawai‘i-2, Maui-14, O‘ahu-64, Kaua’i‘-0

++As a result of updated information, one came from out-of-state was removed from the counts.

Red Placard to Doner Shack Due to Repeated Mask Wearing Violations

The DOH Food Safety Branch has issued a red “CLOSED” placard to Doner Shack at 79 South Pauahi St. in Honolulu due to repeated instances of employees not wearing face masks while working. On Jan. 20 a complaint was received alleging that Doner Shack employees were not wearing masks that day.

An inspection was conducted on Jan. 25 and revealed that the establishment’s owner/manager was working with no face mask or covering. A written warning letter was issued which stated that a follow-up inspection would be conducted, and a repeat violation would result in closure of the food establishment.

A follow-up inspection was conducted on Jan. 27 to ensure compliance. That inspection revealed that the same owner/manager who was issued the warning on Jan. 25 was working without wearing a face mask or covering.

Due to the repeated violations, a red “CLOSED” placard was issued to the establishment to protect public health. After the red placard was posted by an inspector, the owner removed the placard and refused to close the establishment.

“It is so critical at this time for all businesses and their customers to pay close attention to pandemic prevention measures and requirements, and for all business owners to ensure that their employees and customers are properly wearing face masks at all times,” said Peter Oshiro, Food Safety Branch chief. “This is essential to curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Read the full news release: https://hawaiicovid19.com/department-of-health-issues-red-placard-to-doner-shack-due-to-repeated-mask-wearing-violations/

For more information on the department’s restaurant placarding program go to http://health.hawaii.gov/san/

Kalawao County Receives COVID-19 Vaccines

DOH delivered and administered COVID-19 vaccines to residents and employees at the Kalaupapa Settlement of Kalawao County on the island of Moloka‘i this week.

Dr. Glenn Wasserman, chief of the Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division of the Hawai‘i Department of Health, and two DOH public health nurses flew to Kalaupapa Airport Monday.

“It is gratifying to be able to protect our Kalaupapa patients and community with these vaccinations. Our patients are elderly with significant comorbidities that make them especially vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Dr. Wasserman. “We’ll be back in four weeks to administer a second dose of the Moderna vaccine to those who have now received their initial inoculations.”

Kalawao County registered its first case of COVID-19 in early December, which was contained without community transmission. It is the last county in the United States in which someone tested positive for the virus.

“COVID-19 impacts us all,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. “It is important we distribute life-saving vaccine fairly and equitably throughout the state to communities large and small.”

Full news release here: https://hawaiicovid19.com/kalawao-county-receives-covid-19-vaccines/

DOH Targets Outreach on COVID-19 Vaccine Education

Findings from a survey that was conducted last month have informed DOH’s focus on outreach to key segments of the population that are prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. The study also affirmed that Hawai‘i residents understand and support the need to allow those with the greatest risk from COVID-19 to receive the vaccine first and that we have to wait our turn as the vaccine supply becomes available.

About half of Hawai‘i residents said in a recent survey that they will take a COVID-19 vaccination while about 25% were still deciding. More than 70% indicated they understand the need to prioritize available vaccines first to those who are most at risk.

“The results of this survey confirm what the department and our partners are hearing on the ground—that there is interest in Hawai‘i for the COVID-19 vaccination. As we continue expanding vaccinations to more communities, it’s reasonable to expect that many of those who are undecided will choose to be vaccinated as they see more of their friends, neighbors and fellow Hawai‘i residents receive their doses,” Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char said.

“We have spent months listening and developing networks to understand community needs, and to ensure that our partners have timely, accurate public health information to reach their constituents and congregations,” said CJ Johnson, COVID-19 Outreach and Public Health Education Specialist. “Language-specific and culturally accessible resources have been and continue to be developed for populations who are not reached as effectively through traditional advertising.”

For more about the survey, see the detailed survey report.

Read the full news release: https://hawaiicovid19.com/doh-targets-outreach-on-covid-19-vaccine-education/

Department of Defense:

Seven Guardsmen Test Positive for COVID-19 Following Inauguration Mission

Seven Hawai‘i National Guardsmen who recently deployed to Washington, D.C. to help ensure a peaceful transition of presidential power on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021, have tested positive for COVID-19. The 193 Guardsmen were requested to assist with the Washington, D.C. mission, and tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival back to Honolulu. The Guardsmen flew on four different military flights and did not fly on a commercial airline at any point.

All seven affected individuals, who are asymptomatic, are isolating and the other Guardsmen who have tested negative will still be required to complete a 14-day quarantine, per standard protocol. The Director of Military Operations in the Hawaii National Guard’s Joint Staff said, “The Guard has been in contact with them and we are offering our full support, including providing supplies as necessary so the Guardsmen can stay in isolation and quarantine safely.” DOH has also been notified and is assisting with contact tracing. The Guardsmen who tested negative will also be re-tested on Sunday. To view more:

MEDIA RELEASE – Seven Guardsmen Test Positive For COVID-19 Following Inauguration Mission

Department of Public Safety:

Inmate and Staff Testing Continues

The Halawa Correctional Facility (HCF) reported 22 staff members with negative results. HCF reported two (2) negative inmate results, three (3) active cases remaining, and two (2) inmates hospitalized. The O‘ahu Community Correctional Center reported 19 negative inmate results. The Maui Community Correctional Center reported two (2) negative inmate results. The Hawaii Community Correctional Center reported one (1) negative inmate result. The Kulani Correctional Facility reported one (1) negative inmate result. For more information on PSD’s planning and response efforts to COVID-19: http://dps.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-resources/

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority:

6,605 Passengers Arrive on Wednesday

Yesterday, a total of 6,605 people arrived in Hawai‘i from out of state. A total 3,404 people indicated they came to Hawai‘i for vacation. There were also 804 returning residents. The trans-Pacific passenger arrival data is derived from data provided by the Safe Travels digital system.

To view more: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/covid-19-updates/trans-pacific-passenger-arrivals/

Hawai‘i Visitor Statistics Released for December 2020

In December 2020, visitor arrivals decreased 75.2 percent compared to a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released by HTA’s Tourism Research Division. Last month, a total of 235,793 visitors traveled to Hawai‘i by air service, compared to 952,441 visitors who came by air service and cruise ships in December 2019. To see the full press release:

https://hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/6408/december-2020-visitor-statistics-press-release-final.pdf

Helpful Resources

Trusted Testing and Travel Partners:

The state of Hawai‘i only accepts Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab test results from Trusted Testing and Travel Partners. For the full list of domestic trans-Pacific, inter-county, international and airline partners or information on how to become a Trusted Testing Partner, go to: