Hawai‘i Coronavirus Total Now 224: First Death in State, Maui Total is 25

As of noon on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, there are 224 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 20 new cases. Maui has no new cases for a total of 25 confirmed positive.

Of the cases statewide, 6% have required hospitalization, and over 80% were residents returning from other areas. The state Department of Health is reporting one death, and is expected to provide further details at its next press conference later today.

PC: Hawaii Department of Health – map of COVID-19 positive cases by zip code.

As COVID-19 spreads globally and nationally, while the majority of cases identified in Hawaiʻi have been introduced into our state by travelers, especially Hawaiʻi residents.  The state Department of Health Avises that “we all need to practice social distancing (i.e., maintaining at least 6 ft distance or 2 arm’s length from others) as well as other important infection prevention measures (e.g., wash hands, clean surfaces regularly) to prevent widespread community transmission.”

The DOH says “Social distancing can reduce the spread of disease, prevent our healthcare system from being overburdened, and protect the most vulnerable members in our community from infection.”  If you get sick, please stay home—get rest and drink plenty of fluids. If you are older or have an underlying medical condition and become ill, call your doctor.

The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) is urging all residents to act now to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities (see What You Can Do).

HDOH is expanding existing statewide influenza surveillance to include testing for COVID-19 to identify cases of community spread of the new coronavirus. For 263 sentinel surveillance specimens collected between 3/1 and 3/20, all cases were negative for COVID-19 (0% positive). For more information see: COVID-19 Sentinel Surveillance.

Screening is being conducted at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) by local and federal authorities to identify travelers that require quarantine.

Anyone arriving in Hawaiʻi is being placed under mandatory quarantine and must stay home and monitor their health for 14 days from the time they arrived.  There is also a 14-day interisland quarantine ordered for the month of April.

If you begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19, jump to the following page: If You Become Sick