MULTIPLE CLUSTERS CONTINUE SPREAD OF COVID-19

News Release from Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center, August 12, 2020

(Honolulu) – Community spread of the coronavirus, particularly on O‘ahu, continues to be the primary cause of new infections. Today, of the 202 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19, 197 are on O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i each had two (2) additional cases, while Maui reported one (1).

There are multiple clusters of infections, including five (5) distinct restaurant clusters; however, each involves a few employees at single locations, and no transmission to customers has been identified at this time. An employee potluck at Honolulu Hale is a potential transmission source for 11 cases of illness among City and County of Honolulu workers.

State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson said, “The important factor to keep in mind is, community-associated infections continue to be the responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases in the past week and a half. The virus is transmitted though droplets, and that’s why wearing masks and distancing is so important. We must all continue these and other safe practices.” The department is investigating these cases and working with these establishments on quarantine and prevention measures for their staff. There is no risk to the public at this time and no cases beyond the workers. As more information becomes available it will be shared.

Anderson also extended condolences to the family and friends of four O‘ahu men; the latest victims of the disease. The deaths of two of the men, both over 60-years-old, were reported yesterday but included in case counts today. The third and fourth deaths reported today are men 40-59 years old, at least one of whom had underlying health conditions. Investigations into all of the deaths are ongoing. The death toll in Hawai‘i from COVID-19 now stands at 38.

  *   *   *   *   *

Hawai‘i COVID-19 Cases

News Release from Hawaii DoH, August 12, 2020

Hawai‘i COVID-19 Cases

On 8/12/2020, the Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 202 new positive cases. Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i each had two cases, Maui had one and 197 are on O‘ahu for a cumulative total of 3,958 cases statewide (reported since 2/28/2020).

A total of 150,233 individuals have been tested in the state. (2,726 new tests)

202 / 2,726 = 7.4% positive

Detailed information and data about COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i is available at:

Latest Cases in Hawai'i | Current Situation in Hawai'i  | COVID-19 Data Dashboard

LATEST CASES IN HAWAI‘I

MORE DETAILS

Total cases:3958 (202 newly reported)

Hawai’i County:135

Honolulu County:3558

Kaua’i County:51

Maui County:191†

Pending:0

Residents diagnosed outside of Hawai‘i:23

Required Hospitalization:260‡ (9 new hospitalizations)

Hawaii deaths:38 (4 new deaths)

Released from Isolation:1665§ (38 released)

Cumulative totals as of 12:00pm, August 12, 2020   

†One case is a Lanai resident whose exposure is on Maui Island and who will be remaining on Maui Island for the interim.

‡Includes Hawaii residents hospitalized out of state.

§Includes cases that meet isolation release criteria (Isolation should be maintained until at least 3 days (72 hours) after resolution of fever and myalgia without the use of antipyretics OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset, whichever is longer). (The cases that have died and one case that has left the jurisdiction have been removed from these counts).

Positive cases include presumptive and confirmed cases, and Hawaii residents and non-residents; data are preliminary and subject to change. Note that CDC provides case counts according to states of residence.

HAWAI‘I COVID-19 JOINT INFORMATION CENTER 

DAILY NEWS DIGEST 

August 12, 2020 

Department of Health: 

Multiple Clusters Continue Spread of COVID-19 as Death Toll Rises to 38 

Community spread of the coronavirus, particularly on O‘ahu, continues to be the primary cause of new infections. Today, of the 202 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19, 197 are on O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i each had two (2) additional cases, while Maui reported one (1). 

There are multiple clusters of infections, including five (5) distinct restaurant clusters; however, each involves a few employees at single locations, and no transmission to customers has been identified at this time. Honolulu Hale is a potential transmission source for 11 cases of illness among City and County of Honolulu personnel, primarily involving workers in a single office. DOH is still investigating. Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson extended condolences to the family and friends of four O‘ahu men, the latest victims of the disease. The deaths of two of the men, both over 60-years-old, were reported yesterday but included in case counts today. The third and fourth deaths reported today are men 40-59 years old, at least one of whom had underlying health conditions. Investigations into all of the deaths are ongoing. The death toll in Hawai‘i from COVID-19 now stands at 38. 

https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/hawaii-covid-19-joint-information-center-news-release-multiple-clusters-continue-spread-of-covid-19-august-12-2020/ 

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

Hospitalization count as of 8/11/20 at 5:30 pm: 1-Hawai‘i, 0-Maui, 131-O‘ahu, 0-Kaua‘i 

Laboratory* Testing Data    

There were 2,726 additional COVID-19 tests reported via electronic laboratory reporting.  

*Electronic Laboratory Reporting **21 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 

Resources for Employers & Employees if Someone at Work is COVID-19 Positive 

These links, the first two from DOH and the second from the Hawai‘i and U.S. Departments of Labor, provide recommendations and information on how to handle workplace infections. 

https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/files/2020/05/What-to-Do-if-a-Person-at-Your-Worksite-has-COVID-19.pdf 

https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/what-you-should-know/faqs/ 

https://labor.hawaii.gov/hiosh/main/covid-19/ 

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/ 

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority: 

2,253 Passengers Arrive on Tuesday 

Yesterday, a total of 2,253 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 586 visitors and 773 returning residents. There was a total of 30 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, AUGUST 11, 2020 

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/5043/081220-passenger-count-press-release.pdf 

Hawai‘i State Judiciary: 

O‘ahu Family Court Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19  

An O‘ahu Family Court employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the Hawai‘i State Judiciary announced Tuesday. It’s the second confirmed positive case of a Judiciary employee. Last week an asymptomatic employee at the South Kohala District Court on Hawai‘i Island tested positive. The O‘ahu employee last worked at the courthouse on Friday, began experiencing symptoms on Saturday, and received the positive test result on Tuesday. All employees who had close, prolonged contact with the affected individual during the pertinent time period last week were sent home to self-quarantine and advised to consult with their medical providers. They will return to work when medically appropriate to do so. Partner agencies have also been informed of the situation. 

The Judiciary worked with DOH regarding all appropriate measures of response. Contact tracing and appropriate cleaning have begun. The Kapolei Judiciary Complex, where the Family Court is located, will remain open. The Judiciary has been limiting access to its facilities to those with official court business only. In addition, First Circuit Chief Judge R. Mark Browning issued an order on Monday that increases the number of proceedings to be conducted remotely by video conference or by telephone. This was done in response to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases on O‘ahu. To view more:  

https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2020/08/oahu-family-court-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19 

Department of the Attorney General: 

Honolulu Taxi Driver Arrested for Quarantine Violation 

A 41-year old, Honolulu cabbie, Hassan Yusef Mohamoud was arrested this morning outside of his residence by Special Agents from the Investigations Division of the Dept. of the Attorney General for violating the 14-day mandatory quarantine order. 

An anonymous caller reported that Mohamoud, who had an exemption as a taxi driver, was violating his exemption by conducting non-exempt personal business. Yesterday, the final day of his mandatory quarantine period, agents say he went shopping at a windward O‘ahu shopping center. He was booked and charged, and his bail is set at $2,000.