Hawaiian Airlines takes action after Maui Memorial Medical Center struggle with COVID-19
Twenty-five physicians, including doctors, medical assistants, nurse practitioners and volunteers with Premier Medical Group in Honolulu traveled on Hawaiian Airlines to Kahului this afternoon to deliver medical care associated with COVID-19 response efforts in Maui County.
Premier Medical Group physicians, who have conducted COVID-19 screenings throughout O‘ahu and were on Moloka‘i yesterday, arrived on Maui this afternoon in response to a cluster of COVID-19 cases reported at Maui Memorial Medical Center.
They will be providing drive-through health screenings in Kahului, Lahaina and Hana over the next two days.
The group is among more than 75 medical professionals who have booked complimentary Hawaiian Airlines Neighbor Island flights in the first week of a new travel program being offered by the carrier during the month of April to help healthcare providers statewide fight the disease.
A cluster of COVID-19 cases has been identified and involve hospital staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center.
Maui Memorial Medical Center has confirmed 15 of its workers have tested positive for COVID-19. The employees were immediately sent home to self-isolate and plans are being worked on to move these employees to a quarantine site away from their families. Additionally, other hospital workers will be tested for COVID-19. Gov. Ige commented, “This is a reminder to everyone that the virus doesn’t discriminate and everyone is vulnerable – including those who are taking care of the community.” Maui Mayor Mike Victorino also released a statement saying,
“I want to mahalo everyone who is on the front lines of this pandemic. These are difficult times for all of us and we are taking immediate action to assist our healthcare workers. Maui County will be redirecting any available personal protective equipment to the hospital for its staff.
” Everyone is reminded once again to follow the stay-at-home order, to abide by physical distancing measures and to wear a mask to protect others when needing to be around them. N95 masks and other medical-grade masks should be reserved for healthcare professionals and other first responders.
