Three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus on Oahu and Maui

As of March 16, 2020, as of 3:30 pm, there are a total of 10 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawaii. Three new positive results were announced today for two Oahu residents, and one visitor on Maui. The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring all of these individuals and supervising their isolation as well as the self-quarantine of their family members.

COVID-19 testing is not for individuals who are well or experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms

To help manage available healthcare resources for the public statewide, DOH advises everyone to take the following steps:

1. Stay home if you are experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms.
2. Call ahead to your healthcare provider before going to a healthcare facility.
3. If your doctor would like you to come in for a screening, bring a photo ID and insurance card.
4. If your doctor decides that you meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing, he or she will provide a lab order for the test and take the swab for testing.
5. The specimen will be sent to a private or state lab for the results.

List of screening sites statewide now available on DOH website

A current list of Hawaii healthcare facilities offering screening for potential candidates for COVID-19 testing is now available on the DOH website at health.hawaii.gov/updates. A screening determines if a person meets the criteria for a COVID-19 test. The actual test involves taking a swab from the back a person’s nose and throat to test for the virus.

 Definitions of isolation and quarantine

Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease. Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

DOH updates guidance on public events and group gatherings

To protect the public’s health and wellbeing, the Hawai Department of Health is recommending for the next eight weeks that large, crowded gatherings or public events of 50 or more attendees be postponed, canceled or held virtually. When possible, attendees should be about two-arms-length or six feet apart. Elderly adults and those with underlying health conditions who are at a greater risk for COVID-19 infection or respiratory illnesses should avoid attending public gatherings.

DOE extends spring break through March 27 for all public and charter schools

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) is extending its spring break through March 27 for all public and charter school students. DOE will use the additional time from March 23 to 27 to plan for the implementation of social distancing within the school setting, arrange for professional development to support modified operations, and thoroughly clean schools. View the news release online here.

2-1-1 Call Center for Information on COVID-19

The Aloha United Way call center is open daily between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. For information or questions about COVID-19:

• Call 2-1-1 from any location in the state
• Text 877-275-6569
• Email [email protected]
• Visit health.hawaii.gov/covid19 or coronavirus.gov

COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 16, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.
(updated as new information becomes available)

Number of Confirmed or Presumptive Positive Case(s)*………………………10

Number of Persons Under Investigation (current, testing pending)…….7

Number of Persons Under Investigation (closed, testing negative)…..86

Number of Person Self-Monitoring with DOH supervision……………………9

The 9 individuals who are self-monitoring with public health supervision are all on Oahu. These numbers fluctuate often as travelers arrive, depart, or begin and end their self-monitoring with supervision by DOH.

Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory such as the DOH State Laboratories Division.

*The CDC has advised states that respiratory samples positive for SARS-CoV2 in a state and public-health laboratory will be considered “positive” with no need for further testing.

Presumptive Positive: Positive test results from a private laboratory requiring confirmation by a state public health laboratory.

Persons Under Investigation (PUI): Meets CDC criteria for investigation and testing pending.

Monitoring: Individuals voluntarily remain at home and refrain from work, school, gathering places, and public transit. They communicate daily with Department of Health staff.