Hawai‘i COVID-19 News Update – January 7, 2022
Aloha,
Here are the latest COVID-19 news and issues facing Hawai‘i that you need to know this week.
Hawaiʻi COVID case counts are skyrocketing, but hospitalization levels remain manageable.
- The coronavirus case count in Hawaiʻi shot up to yet another single-day record high of 4,789 on Thursday. The average positivity rate across the state also reached a new high of 19.4% today.
- Over the past 14 days, coronavirus cases have been up 555% in Hawaiʻi County, 432% in Maui County, 397% in Kaua‘i County, and 129% in Honolulu. Civil Beat reports staffing shortages and a scarcity of outpatient treatments such as monoclonal antibodies and recently approved oral antivirals are complicating the situation further.
- Hawai‘i’s omicron surge is pushing case counts far higher than any other time in the pandemic, but hospitalizations are still much lower than during the peak of the delta surge. The state data reflects a growing consensus that omicron is far less severe than previous variants.
- Data shows that Hawai‘i, likely due to being relatively restrictive compared with other states throughout the pandemic, maintains one of the lowest overall Covid mortality rates in the nation at just 0.9%.
- For the latest stats from the Hawai‘i Department of Health, click here.
Despite the new CDC guidelines, data reveals only 26.6% of Hawaiʻi’s vaccinated population has received a COVID-19 booster shot.
- Based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, DOH recently broadened eligibility for boosters to recommend children as young as 12. Those 12 to 17 should get a Pfizer booster five months after their initial Pfizer vaccine series. The booster guidance was also changed from six to five months after the initial series for those ages 18 and over.
- As of Thursday, 74.6% of Hawaiʻi’s population had completed COVID-19 vaccinations, with only 26.6% boosted.
- State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char says, “It is important all people covered by these new recommendations take advantage of the extra layer of protection that booster shots provide. They ramp up the level of your neutralizing antibodies tremendously.”
- Hawai‘i Pacific Health offers Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots for children ages 12-15 at its medical center vaccine clinics and mobile events by appointment at HawaiiPacificHealth.org/COVID19Vaccine. Queen’s is offering vaccinations at the Blaisdell Medical Center, and appointments can be made online.
New CDC guidelines also relax quarantine rules for unvaccinated visitors and those exposed or infected as cruise ships return to Hawai‘i waters.
- In accordance with updated CDC guidelines, the 10-day mandatory quarantine for arriving visitors without vaccination documentation has been reduced to five days. A five-day quarantine period also applies to those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to somebody with COVID-19.
- Combined with the new timeline for unvaccinated travelers, Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau said completing a health questionnaire before departure will no longer be required.
- After nearly two years, the Grand Princess will become the first cruise ship with passengers welcomed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic after the state reached an agreement with Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The boat is set to dock in Honolulu on January 9.
- Meanwhile, economists forecast that Hawai‘i will see 8.86 million visitors this year, followed by annual increases until pre-pandemic record numbers are nearly reached in 2024, when the islands are forecast to see 9.9 million tourists.
- State economist Eugene Tian said, “2022 will be a major (economic) recovery, mainly from international tourism.” He also noted that while the industry has yet to recover fully, it’s the sector “driving economic growth.”
Maui County and Honolulu mayors introduced COVID restrictions, while Hawaiʻi Island’s emergency rules remain the same.
- During a recent press conference, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced a 50% capacity limit for larger indoor events with more than 1,000 people on Oʻahu. The new rule goes into effect on Monday, prompted by the recent surge in single-day infections.
- The Honolulu-Star Advertiser reports Maui County delayed updating its definition of being “fully vaccinated” to include those who have gotten a booster shot until January 24. The move will make the county the first in the state to require a COVID-19 booster to be considered fully vaccinated. Additionally, patrons will need to show proof of a booster shot, if eligible, to enter “high risk” establishments, including restaurants, bars, and gyms.
- Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said, “Most medical providers are seeing a noticeable increase in demand for booster shots in Maui County for people of all ages. Many parents are eager to get additional protection for their teens. Postponing the effective date will give residents and providers additional time to respond.”
- On Thursday, Hawai‘i Island Mayor Mitch Roth announced that he would make no changes to the county's current emergency rules despite the surge.
Mahalo nui loa,
Your BG Team