Updated: 8/25/2020, 12:25 p.m.
Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell today announced they are reinstating the stay-at-home order for Oahu that had been imposed in March to help stop the spread of COVID-19 cases. The order will take effect Thursday and last for at least two weeks and will not affect the Neighbor Islands.
That means hair salons, barbers, gyms and other non-essential businesses will need to close down again, while essential businesses like grocery stores and restaurants takeout services can remain open, although dine-in services will be suspended.
Schools and the universities can continue to operate. Residents can exercise outside, but beaches, parks and trails remain closed.
Unlike in March, religious services can be held with restrictions in place.
Ige and Caldwell last week imposed further restrictions on social gatherings, and extended park, beach and bar closures for 28 days.
But at a press conference today, Ige acknolwedged that the steps haven't significantly reduced coronavirus cases on Oahu.
The federal government is also helping the state and city put on a series of free, open-to-all surge testing sites that will not require symptoms, a doctor's order or impose any other barrier.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who is in Hawaii to speak with health and government officials, announced that up to 5,000 tests a day will be available. Results will be returned in 2 to 4 days, he said.
Ige, whose state Department of Health has come under heavy criticism for failing to provide enough testing and contact tracing to control the virus, welcomed the federal help.
"“This really allows us to test in areas that we would not otherwise have the opportunity. So we’re working with the mayor. And remember, the normal course of testing for the past — during this whole pandemic has been one to 2,000 tests a day, so this is a significant increase in the capacity to test individuals, get a broader surveillance, so we can see what the circulation of COVID-19 in in our community," Ige said.
Those who want to get tested can pre-register at the website doineedacovid19test.com.
Honolulu Fire Department Chief Manuel Neves said drive-through testing sites will be set up initially at these locations, with testing beginning at 9 a.m.:
• Wednesday: Kaneohe District Park and Leeward Community College
• Thursday: Ewa Mahiko, Waianae and Kalakaua district parks.
The tests will be self-administered under watch of a medical professional. Those getting tested will be given packs with a swab that goes into the nose but is less invasive as the standard PCR nasal test.
Neves said walk-in sites will be set up later.
Ige also said he will be sending a letter to the federal government to provide those who are jobless with an extra $300 in unemployment benefits. He earlier had delayed applying for President Trump's Low Wage Assistance Program to get more information.
Where we stand
The Hawaii Department of Health reported 215 new COVID-19 cases today. That brings the state's total to 6,984 cases. Total deaths remain at 49. Of the new cases, 201 are on Oahu, 11 on Hawaii Island and 3 in Maui County. This brings the total cases to 6,382 on Oahu, 303 in Maui County, 220 on Hawaii Island and 56 on Kauai.
On Monday, the state announced 2 deaths, a man and a woman, who were both over 80 years old with underlying medical conditions.
Among the latest cases:
• The state Department of Education said it learned yesterday that a service provider who visited several public schools has tested positive for COVID-19. The contractor visited Campbell High, Ewa Makai Middle and Waipahu Elementary schools on Aug. 19 and Aug. 20. The person's interaction with students and staff imvolved a small group in one classroom, the department said in a news release. Staff and parents of students who may have come into close contact with the individual have been notified. The public schools have begun largely distance learning classes at least through Sept. 11, although some in-person instruction is being held.
• A juvenile showing no COVID-19 symptoms was admitted Aug. 16 to the Ho'omalu Juvenile Detention Facility in Kapolei and subsequently tested positive. The juvenile was placed in a 14-day quarantine on admission, which is standard practice. The juvenile was moved to the medical isolation unit after it was learned that a household member had tested positive. Results were returned on Saturday. It is the first confirmed positive case of a juvenile at the facility. The youth had no contact with other juveniles and no prolonged contact with non-medical staff.
Hawaii Supreme Court orders Neighbor Island inmate release
The Hawaii Supreme Court yesterday ordered the release of certain inmates at the Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai correctional centers.
The order follows a similar directive releasing inmates at the Oahu Community Correctional Center because of COVID-19 and overcrowded conditions.
More than 240 OCCC inmates and about 50 adult correctional officers have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Those eligible for release and suspension of sentences include pretrial detainees and inmates sentenced for petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors and certain felonies.
Inmates held for sexual assault, abuse of family and household members and violation of restraining orders are among those who would not be eligible for release.
Anyone objecting to the releases must file their concerns with the court by tomorrow at 4 p.m.
ported four employees, three on Oahu and one on Hawaii Island, who have tested positive.
OCCC inmates testing positive continue to inch up
Four more Oahu Community Correctional Center inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 242. Forty-seven adult correctional officers have also tested positive. The first round of testing was completed on Thursday and another round is underway, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
Returning residents, visitors continue to arrive at state airports
Despite surging COVID-19 cases in the state and the mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arrivals, residents continue to travel and visitors still arrive by the hundreds in the islands.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority reported 738 returning residents, 390 visitors, 172 crew members, 166 transiting travelers, 80 military members, 207 travelers exempt from quarantine and 101 travelers who say they are relocating to Hawaii.
This is a developing story. Please check back for upates. Editor's note: We’d like to hear how you’re coping with the latest COVID-19 developments and the state's phased reopening. You can call our talkback line at 808-792-8217. Or e-mail us at talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org.
