March 6, 2022 COVID-19 update: 1 death, 196 new infections in Hawaiʻi

The state Department of Health is reporting a COVID-19 count of 196 new cases today. This comes following a record high of 6,252 new cases reported on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Cases since then have been trending down, and hospitalizations on Maui have followed suit. 

Todayʻs count includes 21 cases on Maui, 17 on Hawaiʻi Island, 13 on Kauaʻi, 0 on Molokaʻi, two on Lānaʻi, and 19 out of state.  There are 124 new COVID-19 cases on Oʻahu.

The latest data represents a total of 2,607 “active” cases statewide over two weeks. This is below the delta peak of 11,500. Maui County’s seven day average of cases is now 12.6 cases per 100,000. This is below the delta peak of 57.6 per 100,000 reported on Aug. 25, and the 412.1 per 100,000 reported on Jan. 21, 2022.

Of today’s 196 cases, there are 160 cases identified as confirmed, and 36 probable cases were added to the count.  The confirmed cases included: 95 on O‘ahu (+29 probable); 18 on Hawai‘i Island (-1 probable); 19 on Maui (+2 probable); 11 on Kaua‘i (+2 probable); 0 on Molokaʻi; two on Lānaʻi; and 15 Hawai‘i resident diagnosed while out of state (+4 probable).

Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 deaths increased to 1,354, with one new deaths reported today.

*Officials with the state Department of Health say that “because of the volume of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related deaths” going forward, the DOH “can no longer provide daily information including county of death, age range of the decedent, hospitalization status, gender, and whether or not the decedent had underlying conditions.” This information will be updated every Wednesday on the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division data dashboard.

In Maui County, the seven day average for new daily cases dropped to 21. The countyʻs test positivity rate is now 3.3%, and the statewide positivity rate is now 2.5%.

Statewide, with data through March 4, there are 74 people hospitalized with COVID-19, (down from a peak of 448 on Sept. 4), according to an update from the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency. HIEMA statistics show 10 people in the ICU for COVID-19 statewide, and six COVID-19 patients on ventilators. 

As of 9 a.m. on March 4, 2022, the latest data available, there are 12 people hospitalized in Maui County with COVID-19, below both the 41 reported during the height of the delta surge in August 2021, and the previous omicron high of 56 reported on Jan. 28, 2022.  This includes seven vaccinated (including one boosted), and five unvaccinated. Of the 12 COVID-19 hospitalizations, none are in the ICU, or on a ventilator.

*Note on ICU capacity:  The Maui hospital needs to have adequate ICU nurses to care for the ICU patients that are in beds and will staff up and down based on need. This means that although beds are listed as still “available,” staffing would be needed to accommodate occupancy. According to Maui Health, capacity and staffing statistics are not static numbers, and are constantly shifting throughout a 24 hour period, with staffing based on census/capacity. 

Through March 4, 2022, an estimated 2,811,411 doses of vaccine have been administered statewide, including 540,620 third doses. The state’s total population is 1,415,857.  The DOH reports that 83.8% of the state population has had one dose of vaccination, and 76.6% have completed two doses; and 37.6% have had a third dose. On Maui, the DOH reports that 78% of the total population in Maui County has initiated a vaccine, while 69% have completed a full course of vaccination, and 37% with additional doses.

Of the 25,681 confirmed cases documented in Maui County over the course of the pandemic, Wailuku has the most current infections on island over the past two weeks with 61 cases. Wailuku is currently the only location categorized in the dark blue category (for areas with 51-200 cases over two weeks). This is followed by Kahului with 47 cases, Kīhei with 44, Lahaina with 38, Makawao with 35, Kula with 19, and Haʻikū and Lānaʻi with 11 cases each. Molokaʻi, Spreckelsville, and Hāna in East Maui had 0-10 cases over two weeks.

The new cases today bring the cumulative total of cases to 237,363 (confirmed and probable) statewide, reported since Feb. 28, 2020.

The cumulative total of cases in Maui County is 25,681 confirmed cases over the course of the pandemic.  To date, there have been 881 confirmed cases on the island Molokaʻi, 616 on Lāna‘i and 24,184 on Maui.

There are 25,681 confirmed cases documented in Maui County over the course of the pandemic, plus an additional 3,951 probable cases, bringing the total cases attributed to the county to 29,632.

To date, there have been 1,354 COVID-19 related deaths in Hawaiʻi including: 993 on Oʻahu, 132 in Maui County, 182 on Hawaiʻi Island, 29 on Kauaʻi and 12 deaths in residents diagnosed while out-of-state.

QUARANTINE UPDATES:

COVID-19 Testing Availability on Maui:

Testing on Maui is available at the following locations:

• Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center | Mondays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.‍
• ‍Kīhei: 1280 S. Kīhei Road (behind Ace Hardware) | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. ‍
• ‍Kahului: 348 Lehuakona St. (at Maui Marketplace) | Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Must pre-register to be tested, visit https://www.minitmed.com/pre-register-maui-covid-19. 

• Wailuku: Mauliola Pharmacy | 95 Mahalani Street, Rm 10 | 7 days a week, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | pre-register for appointment

Additional testing sites throughout the County of Maui are posted here.

COVID-19 Vaccination Availability:

The vaccine clinic at Maui Memorial Medical Center has expanded to Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. to accommodate the booster shot appointments. Additional vaccine sites available during the month are posted here.

Vaccination Exemption for Mainland Travelers to Hawaiʻi Begins July 8

• Beginning July 8, 2021, the state is now accepting proof of vaccination through the Safe Travels program, for domestic travel including trans-Pacific travelers vaccinated in the US and traveling from the continental US, Alaska and the US territories to Hawaiʻi.

Hawai‘i Inter-County Travel Restrictions Lifted June 15

• On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the state of Hawaiʻi ended restrictions on inter-county travel. “There will be no testing and no quarantine requirements for inter-county travel,” said Gov. Ige. All inter-island travel restrictions were dropped. Those who are in quarantine will not be able to travel. 
• Also beginning on June 15, 2021, a quarantine exemption went into effect for incoming travelers to the state who are verified to have been vaccinated in Hawaiʻi. If travelers have been vaccinated in Hawaiʻi, and the state can verify that, they are now able to bypass quarantine without a pre-travel test when returning to Hawaiʻi from the mainland.

Hawai‘i Mask Mandate Lifted for Outdoors

As of May 25, 2021, Hawaiʻi’s mask mandate has been lifted for outdoors, but remains in place for indoors. When outdoors, people are still encouraged to mask up when in large groups of 10 people or more. Governor David Ige also announced he is lifting the suspension on ocean sports competitions as of June 1 to allow events such as surfing, canoe paddling, and swimming.

Maui Mandatory Secondary Test Upon Arrival for Trans-Pacific Flights Ends June 4, 2021

The post arrival rapid testing at Kahului Airport concluded on June 4 after one full month of operation.  Since the program began on May 4, there were just five confirmed positive tests out of the more than 110,000 post-arrival tests conducted.   Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said the program cost the county between $2.5-$2.7 million, but in the same breath, has provided important information on the source of variant transmission as well as the mindfulness of community spread.

22nd COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation; and Maui County Public Health Emergency Rules Available online

• Safe Travels program ends March 26; assessment underway on indoor masking
• Maui Memorial Medical Center reinstates allowance of regular visitors
• Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi announces end of the City’s COVID-19 emergency orders
• Mayor repealing Maui County Public Health Emergency Rules, effective March 1, 2022
• Vaccines no longer required to dine-in on Maui, starting Monday Feb. 21
• Green: Most mandates may be lifted soon; county rules should be consistent (Posed Feb. 16, 2022)
• Maui Mayor relaxing pandemic rule on COVID-19 boosters due to dropping cases, Feb. 7, 2022
• Booster required on Maui to be considered fully vaccinated, effective Monday, Jan. 24, 2022
• Effective Jan. 10, 2022, Oʻahu to cut capacity at large indoor events
• New COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation Signed
• Next COVID-19 Measures Shift Back to Counties on Dec. 1, 2021: This pivot of power back to the counties gives them the ability to issue emergency orders without seeking approval of the state. 
  • The six-foot distancing rule currently in place for restaurants will be lifted on Oʻahu and Maui, allowing eateries to resume full capacity for dining indoors, starting Dec. 1st. Mayor Victorino said indoor dining for Maui County will still be limited to those who show proof of vaccination or testing, as is currently the case.
  • For gyms and other high traffic areas on Maui, they’ll be able to return to 100% capacity, but with physical distancing still required.
  • Under the newest order, several measures will remain in place including: The Hawaiʻi Safe Travels Program; the indoor mask mandate; and vaccination or testing requirements for state executive and county employees, and contractors and visitors to state facilities. 
• Eased Restrictions Outdoors at High Risk Businesses; Capacity Indoors Dependent Upon County Policy, starting Nov. 12.
• Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi announced a return to 100% capacity at entertainment venues on Oʻahu on Nov. 3, 2021.
• Loosened Restrictions on Maui Begin Oct. 16, 2021
• Loosened restrictions on Oʻahu Begin Oct. 13, with more rules to be relaxed on Oct. 20, 2021.
• Maui Mayor Victorino says new Safer Outside Rules including a Health Pass will begin on Sept. 15, 2021.
• Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi announced a Safe Access Oʻahu Program that started Sept. 13, 2021
• Maui Mayor Victorino has implemented a 21 day voluntary lockdown. (Announced Aug. 27, 2021)
• Gov. David Ige signed an executive order on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. 
  • Social gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. 
  • Indoor capacity for restaurants, bars and gyms is 50%.
• The newly amended public health emergency rules are posted in their entirety at the County of Maui website.
• Gov. David Ige has signed the state’s 22st proclamation on COVID-19. The proclamation effectively requires all state and county employees to provide their vaccination status to their department, office or agency. If they cannot provide proof of vaccination by Aug. 16, they will be subject to regular COVID-19 testing.