Hawaii Daily COVID-19 Update: Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Hawaii Daily COVID-19 update coronavirus reports and statistics from government departments as of Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in the Aloha State.

Governor’s Office:

Additional Detail on Resumption of Interisland Travel Revealed Today           

At an afternoon news briefing, Governor David Ige announced further details on the reopening of interisland travel on June 16. Bottom line, the governor explained, travel will be different. Thermal screening at the airport will be required for all passengers and anyone with a fever of 100.4 of greater will be denied boarding. Prior to arriving at the airport, travelers will have to fill out a form that contains health screening questions and asks for information to allow for contact tracing. The governor is asking for patience as the new process is implemented and indicated interisland travelers should anticipate additional time needed at state airports. The form is required for all interisland flights, even those taken on the same day. “Lifting the interisland travel quarantine is possible because of the low case levels on all islands,” said Governor Ige. In the next few days the state will roll out a travel website that will have all the information interisland travelers need. A new travel website and interisland travel form will be available in the next few days.

What’s Next for Out-of-State Travel?

Governor Ige says he recognizes the importance of reopening out-of-state travel, but “we’re not there yet and we are being cautious.” The mandatory, 14-day quarantine remains in place until July 31. He pointed to new flare-ups in key mainland markets like California, with more than 2,000 new cases yesterday. Oregon, Arizona, and Texas all are reporting highest numbers of new daily cases since the coronavirus pandemic began. “We will not reopen out-of-state travel before the end of June,” and said his ninth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation gives him the flexibility to reopen travel when the state is ready. The governor said that many options to protect the health of Hawai‘i residents are being considered and will involve a multi-layered approach to reduce the danger of infection spikes. He said the approach will involve screening, testing, travel to low-risk areas and contact tracing and focusing on how to reopen in travel corridors with low circulation of the virus. “Screening forms are expected to be similar to the new interisland travel forms and this process will help us refine our plans for a broader reopening of travel to Hawai‘i, Governor Ige said.

Governor Approves Kaua‘i Emergency Rules #12

Today Gov. Ige approved a request from Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami to safely re-open more businesses, operations or activities under guidelines that will ensure the health, safety and welfare of the people of Kauaʻi county, effective June 16, 2020. The mayor’s Emergency Rules #12 specifies conditions under which the following may open:

• Certain accommodations
• Bars and bar top services

Department of the Attorney General:

AG Says Airport Health Screenings are Important Building Blocks

At the governor’s news briefing, Hawai‘i Attorney General Clare Connors reiterated the two- step process that will be required starting next Tuesday for interisland travel.

1. Mandatory travel and health form
2. Screening with temperature check and possibility of testing

Connors said the implementation of these new procedures is an important moment for testing out the system…an important building block to help us move toward the future, “so we can figure out how to safely move through each step of reopening travel.”

Department of Health:

Four New COVID-19  Cases Reported on O‘ahu

Three (3) of four (4) cases of coronavirus reported by DOH are children, under the age of 18 from a household with an adult case. The fourth individual reported today is an O‘ahu adult. One other O‘ahu case has been removed from the total count due to retesting which came up negative.

Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, June 10, 2020

* Includes cases that meet isolation release criteria. 

Laboratory* Testing Data

There were 1,122 additional COVID-19 tests reported via electronic laboratory reporting.

*Electronic Laboratory Reporting  **14 test results were inconclusive

Hawaiicovid19.com

For more tables visit: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/

Update on Contact Tracing

According to DOH Administrator, Dr. Bruce Anderson, nearly 1,400 people have signed up for contact tracing training at the University of Hawai‘i. DOH currently has 60 full-time staff who work on contact tracing and the target is to have an additional 320 health professionals trained by mid-July. “Together,” Anderson said, “this will ensure surge capacity for the department in the event the number of cases increases beyond our staffing. We feel confident the state will have the capacity to manage any surge in COVID-19 cases, but also remind everyone that keeping the spread under control is critical.” Anderson also pointed out that face masks, social distancing, and hand washing are still very important. He said steer clear of the three C’s:

• Avoid Closed spaces with poor ventilation
• Avoid Crowded places with groups of people
• Avoid Close-contact settings like one-on-one conversations

Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance Requirements Reinstated 

Tuberculosis (TB) clearance requirements for childcare, school, post-secondary institutions, and for food handlers were reinstated on June 1^st. These routine TB clearance requirements were waived temporarily through May 31 to support COVID-19 social distancing and mitigation efforts. DOH has resumed issuing clearances for these groups and now offers phone and email clearance for many people who may be eligible. The department continues to issue clearances for healthcare workers and patients in long-term care facilities. Dr. Elizabeth MacNeill, Chief of the TB Control Branch, said, “DOH is now offering phone and email clearances for TB to those that qualify. For those who still require walk-in services, we’ve implemented new policies and procedures to support social distancing measures and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage everyone to call in advance to learn how to best use the services and obtain their clearance as conveniently as possible for childcare, school or work.” To get a TB clearance by phone, email, or for more information on a walk-in service:

https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/tuberculosis-tb-clearance-requirements-reinstated/

Department of Transportation:

Five Companies Participating in Airport Screening Equipment Pilot

The DOT is taking steps to make logistical improvements and to make passenger verification more efficient at airports across the state. The DOT airports division reports five firms are participating in a two-week-long test project of thermal temperature screening equipment at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). DOT officials will see how each system works in real time and will study the capability and functionality of both thermal screening and facial recognition equipment. The companies will submit their final proposals by June 26 and DOT anticipates making a final selection within one week. The aggressive game plan, once selection is made, involves three phases:

• Phase one – By mid-July, thermal scanners installed at airport gates currently being used for arriving trans-Pacific flights, statewide
• Phase two – By July 31, thermal scanners installed at all gates
• Phase three – By Dec. 31, facial recognition equipment installed

DOT public information officer Tim Sakahara said at today’s news briefing, “We continue to refine the process to adjust to the changes in current and anticipated conditions. We understand the transportation and hospitality sectors are eagerly awaiting the day the traveler quarantine is lifted in full. Until then we will continue to make the process as efficient and effective as possible.”

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:

1,626 Passengers Arrive on Tuesday

Yesterday, a total of 1,626 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 497 visitors and 518 returning residents. There was a total of 16 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 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/4726/061020-passenger-count-press-release.pdf

Hawaii Daily COVID-19 Update from yesterday.

#rebuildingtravel