Preparing for a Hurricane During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Hawaii Daily COVID-19 update of coronavirus reports and statistics from government departments as of Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in the Aloha State includes a message from the Governor on preparing for a hurricane during COVID-19.

Office of the Governor:

With Storm Approaching Governor Ige & HI-EMA Issue Hurricane Safety Reminders

Gov. David Ige was joined by Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency Administrator Luke Meyers on Tuesday for a Facebook live to talk about hurricane preparedness amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Meyers pointed out that hurricane season runs from June 1 – Nov. 30 in the central pacific, and HI-EMA has been tracking a number of storms so far this year. While the peak for hurricanes usually occurs in late summer, Meyers said, “It only takes one storm to impact the islands, so we have to keep our guard up.” Meyers also highlighted six things residents should keep in mind this season to prepare:

• Know the hazards where you live, work, and play
• Sign up for weather alerts to stay up to date
• Develop an emergency plan with your family
• Build a 14-day emergency supply kit, this year including masks and hand sanitizer
• Consider hurricane or flood insurance if you’re in a high-risk area
• Consider structural mitigation like hurricane clips or shutters

The Facebook live is part of a “community connection” feature the governor uses to keep residents updated with the State’s efforts and response to  COVID-19. To re-watch the livestream:https://www.facebook.com/GovernorDavidIge/videos/681597089088014/

Department of Health:

25^th COVID-19 Death is O‘ahu Man

The Dept. of Health reports the death of an O‘ahu man, between 40-59 years-of-age as the state’s 25^th death of a resident due to coronavirus. His death was reported late yesterday, and “all of Hawai‘i joins in extending condolences to the family and friends of this man, during this very difficult time,” said Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson. This is the fourth COVID-19 death in this age group and is the 18^th on O‘ahu. There have been six (6) deaths among Maui residents, and one (1) Kaua‘i resident’s death which occurred out-of-state. Today, DOH reports 17 additional positive cases of COVID-19, all on O‘ahu.

Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, July 22, 2020

Laboratory* Testing Data

There were 631 additional COVID-19 tests reported via electronic laboratory reporting.

*Electronic Laboratory Reporting  **14 test results were inconclusive

Hawaiicovid19.com

For more tables, charts and visualizations visit the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division: https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/what-you-should-know/current-situation-in-hawaii

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:

June 2020 Hawai‘i Hotel Performance Report

Hawai‘i hotels across the state continued to report substantially lower revenue per available room (RevPAR), average daily rate (ADR), and occupancy last month compared to June 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to HTA, statewide RevPAR in June 2020 decreased to $25 (-89.3%), ADR fell to $162 (-42.4%), and occupancy declined to 15.6 percent (-68.3 percentage points). To view the full report:

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/4894/hta-june-2020-hawaii-hotels-performance-final_revised.pdf

2,208 Passengers Arrive on Tuesday

Yesterday, a total of 2,208 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 493 visitors and 890 returning residents. There was a total of 27 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, JULY 21, 2020

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/4897/072220-passenger-count-press-release.pdf

University of Hawai‘i:

UH Manoa COVID-19 Plan for Fall

UH released more details on its Fall 2020 reopening plans Wednesday. The university sent a letter to students and staff reminding them its top priorities are the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff – while also committing to provide the best possible learning, teaching, and research experience for the campus community. All eight UH campuses have been working together on developing COVID-19 guidance going forward. Some of those plans include requiring face coverings when indoors, doing daily check-ins on a UH app or web form that monitors COVID-19 symptoms, and practicing physical distancing. The school says it’ll be easier to keep six feet apart from others since there will be fewer people on campus and more courses will be offered online. Teachers have also worked to reduce physical classroom and lab capacity by 50-percent. In total, 54-percent of students are anticipated to do online-only learning, 23-percent will be in person, and another 23-percent will be in a hybrid plan.

There have also been slight changes to amenities on campus. Dining and food services will have modified seating and self-serve drink stations will no longer be available. Study areas like the Hamilton Library or the Sinclair Student Success Center as well as the Warrior Recreation Center will reopen, but you’ll have to wear face masks and adhere to social distancing rules. Custodial staff will continue disinfection measures and regularly clean high-touch surface areas such as elevator buttons, door handles, and faucets. UH has also set up a protocol for positive or suspected cases of COVID-19. All students and staff must self-report to University Health Services Mānoa when they are symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19. The university will then help with quarantine or isolation, contact-tracing, communication, and facility disinfection.

UH will also soon be launching an updated website with FAQ’s for students, faculty and staff, and campus visitors. To view more:

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/07/22/uh-manoa-covid-19-plan-for-fall/

Department of Land and Natural Resources:

Swimmers and Fishers Asked to Share Aloha

After the lifting of certain restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people returned to Hawai‘i’s ocean waters. Akin to “playing well with others in the sandbox,” the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is encouraging swimmers and fishers to share aloha when in the water.

Summer is the season for inshore fishing for ‘oama, pāpio, halalu, sardines, and a number of other fish species. Fishers go where the fish are, and this summer fish are showing up in places that haven’t usually been popular fishing sites. Some of these same places are also frequented by swimmers.

“We’ve been seeing higher than usual fishing activity around the state, ever since April, when the governor allowed people to cross closed state beaches in order to fish,” said Brian Neilson, DAR administrator. “In a few locations, fishers and swimmers have been using the same areas, which can lead to potential conflicts.” See Ocean Playground is For All news release here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/07/22/nr20-104/

Previous Hawaii Daily COVID-19 Information.

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