Hawaii’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to grow. On this Good Friday, April 10, the noon report from State Department of Health reports 22 new cases. Of those, 9 are in Honolulu County, 3 on the Big Island, 8 on Maui (at least two connected with Maui Memorial Medical Center, per Department of Health), and 1 on Kaua’i. All but one are confirmed as Hawaii residents (one is unknown). The total cases in the state now number 464.
The worst statistic is deaths, and Hawaii added 2 to that count, for a total of 8 statewide. Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson in a Friday press conference said one of the victims was a patient in the long-term care unit of Maui Memorial Medical Center. There have been 4 deaths on O’ahu and 2 on Maui.
Although most cases are travel related (252), and in 133 the cause is not known, State DOH officials say community spread is significant. To stop community spread, everybody is urged to wear a mask in public–to avoid spreading the wearer’s germs if they do have COVID-19. Since the spread can be by people with no symptoms, mask wearing is urged for all.
Some Mayors are taking additional measures. On O’ahu, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Police Chief Susan Ballard have instituted a night-time quarantine for tonight, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., with limited exceptions. Even before the CDC and Gov. David Ige came out with a recommendation to wear masks in public, Mayor Caldwell asked O’ahu residents to do so, just after the second death on O’ahu.
On Kaua’i, Mayor Derek Kawakami instituted a quarantine from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. starting March 20, and has additionally ordered closure of all vacation rentals and golf courses starting Saturday.
Kawakami has also ordered all employees at grocery stores, pharmacies, and food service establishments to wear cloth masks. On the Big Island, Mayor Harry Kim also urges people to wear masks in public.
Gov. Ige has also imposed a 14-day quarantine on anybody arriving on any island, from out of state or on interisland flights, with some exceptions. And those who may arrive on O’ahu without a place to stay are actually being sent right back.
