LIVE STREAM: Gov. Ige Press Conference, April 3, 2020, 2:30 p.m.

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Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige provided his latest update on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., as Hawaiʻi reported its third COVID-19 death.  As of noon on Friday, April 3, 2020, there are 319 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 34 new cases.

In his address, Gov. Ige announced the partial activation of the Hawaii National Guard with 250 members on state active duty to assist with support in the receiving and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment from national stockpiles.

Gov. Ige also noted reports of the arrival of homeless individuals into the state.  He said that “If anyone arrives at our airports without a place to stay, they will be immediately sent back.”

Gov. Ige said that he supports the voluntary CDC recommendation for the public to wear cloth masks while in the public.  State officials remind the general public to save N95 and surgical masks for healthcare providers.

Department of Health:

Third COVID-19 Death Travel-Related

The third death from COVID-19 was as an elderly adult O‘ahu resident who had been hospitalized in critical condition on life support for several weeks after traveling to Washington state. DOH reports 34 new COVID-19 cases today — all are adults. The majority of cases are residents and two (2) are visitors. The number of Maui County cases includes the first positive case on Molokai. This case may be travel related and the individual has been transported to Oʻahu for care. There are now a total of 319 presumptive or confirmed cases in the state.

LABORATORY TESTING DATA

Seven (7) test results were inconclusive

HAWAI‘I COVID-19 COUNTS AS OF 12 NOON, APRIL 3, 2020

*Includes the first positive case on Molokai.

*“Pending investigation” refers to positive cases that have an unknown county of diagnosis at the time of this report. As more information becomes available for these cases, they are assigned to the proper County of Diagnosis. A negative number indicates the number of previously unknown cases that have now been assigned to a county.

Additional Guidance on Masks

Based on recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommendations from county mayors and the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19, Gov. Ige and the Hawai‘i Dept. of Health and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency are formulating a statewide policy on the use of facemasks. Although there is no current data to demonstrate that homemade, cloth masks are effective for individual protection, it is prudent to urge everyone that wearing a fabric mask can help prevent the spread of infection to others, when the mask is worn by someone who already is infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director of the Dept. of Health said, “Many of us may be walking around unaware that we may be carrying coronavirus and when we cough, sneeze, and to a lesser degree, even speak, cloth masks may block infectious droplets from spreading. Protection is maximized when facemasks are used consistently and properly to avoid contaminating the hands or face of someone wearing one.”  Anderson added that fabric masks should be replaced when they become moist and washed after each use.

https://hawaiicovid19.com

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:

Hotels for Heroes

Hawai‘i Tourism has teamed up with the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i to help those on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Various hotels are opening their rooms up for healthcare workers to give them respite during the pandemic, while providing protection for their families. Hilton Raethel, the President and CEO of the healthcare group said, “Our healthcare workers put themselves on the front line every day and not just during this crisis. We appreciate the cooperation of the lodging industry and the true aloha spirit this shows.”

Airline Arrivals Continue to Drop

On Thursday 543 people arrived at state airports and of that number only 89 were visitors. Most of the passengers were returning residents. The state’s 14-day, mandatory self-quarantine order is for all out-of-state arrivals and interisland travelers, unless exempted. The table does not include interisland travelers at this time.

Department of Defense:

National Guard Standing up This Weekend

The Hawai‘i National Guard will soon begin assisting the Dept. of Transportation at airports across the state to conduct passenger medical screening and to help with administrative paperwork. The guard is made-up of soldiers and airmen who are all members of the community. This means, they understand first-hand the direct impacts of this pandemic and now can provide specific capabilities to help reduce some of these impacts. There are currently 130 active guardsmen. An additional 162 are being called up for active duty, bringing the total to 292.

Hawai‘i State House of Representatives:

State Capitol to Remained Closed Through April 30

In an effort to maintain consistency with the governor’s stay-at-home work orders, House Speaker Scott K. Saiki announced that the Hawai‘i State Capitol will remain closed, except for those performing necessary functions. Representatives will determine their own office hours and staffing needs based on their respective circumstances, with staff who remain at home, working from home.

Hawai‘i State Senate:

Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 Meets

The six State Senators of the Special Committee on COVID-19 continued meeting today to assess and advise the Senate regarding plans and procedures for state departments. The committee heard from Governor Ige’s Chief of Staff, the Dept. of Human Resources and Development, the Dept. of Agriculture and the Dept. of Education.

Below are highlights provided by Gov. David Ige and the Joint Information Center for COVID-19 in Hawai‘i: