DOH contact tracing, Senate hearing, Stay-at-home order
August 29, 2020
Aloha Neighbor,
CHANGES AT DOH: Ramping Up Case Investigation and Contact Tracing
Once the senate committee heard the administration was moving contact tracing to the convention center, we took action to visit the convention center Friday. Staffing, after all, was still not advancing at needed speed, given the continued triple-digit increase in positive cases. I’m pleased to report the Health Department (DOH) is working with the National Guard to put in place an investigation and contact tracing procedures as they hire and train 30-50 staff this weekend and the same next week.
New DOH Disease Investigation Branch (DIB) Chief Dr. Emily Roberson is now in charge of investigating and tracing positive cases and their contacts. Their goal, among others, is to meet CDC’s standard to contact each positive case within 24 hours. it’s daunting. The DOH has over 2,000 cases overwhelming its staff. If the Governor and Director of Health continue to support the authority given to National Guard Major General Hara and DOH Dr. Roberson, giving them the green light to ramp up quickly, we will see action on infection clusters, prevention of future outbreaks, and containing the spread.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Senate COVID Committee Will Hear Update
The committee will continue assessing the state of our health care capacity. Monday (8/31) we hear the State’s hospital capacity levels and current strain due to the increased number of positive COVID-19 cases. The committee will convene at 12:00 p.m. to hear from Dr. Jill Hoggard Green, President & CEO, Queen’s Health Systems; and Andrew Giles, Asst Hospital Administrator & COVID-19 Incident Commander and Jonathan Ching, Government Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. The meeting will be available on Olelo Channel 54 and olelo.org.
GOVERNOR SIGNS STAY AT HOME ORDER FOR OAHU: August 27
Honolulu is shut down again. Governor officially signed the Mayor’s 2nd stay-at-home Order, effective Aug. 27, 2020 through Sept. 9, 2020. You may again wonder what work is essential or not. Below is more clarification on what is essential and open and what is closed:
Essential services include childcare, construction, health care, some educational services, grocery stores, hardware stores, gas stations, public schools, banks, government and financial institutions.
City offices, like satellite city halls and driver licensing centers, will conduct business exclusively online and via mail.
Restaurants can offer take-out services only, but careful when parking, as metered parking rules are still enforced.
Retailers, auto dealerships, and personal services like salons and barber shops are closed.
Recreational closures continue for tennis courts, golf courses, swimming pools, bowling alleys, beaches, parks, bars, and gyms.
Note that a violation of this Order is a misdemeanor, with fines of up to $5,000, up to a year in prison, or both. You can view the 2nd “Stay-At-Home” Order here. Go to Section 2F for the full list of essential businesses and services.
REMINDER FROM HPD: COVID Violations will be enforced
Most of the covid violations called in to HPD have been for not wearing a mask or not social distancing, sitting in parks and beaches unless in active transit to the ocean or restrooms. If you are stopped, warned, or cited, don’t argue with officers. You will have a chance to explain your side of the story to the judge on the court date written on the citation. For now, court appearances are being held via Zoom for your health, safety, and convenience. If you observe covid violations, call 723-3900 or email HPDcovidenforce@honolulu.gov. Use 911 only for ACTUALEMERGENCIES (crimes in progress against a person or property, medical emergencies, life or death situations, etc.)
OTHER HAPPENINGS OF INTEREST:
KAKAAKO AND PUNAHOU AREA SEWER RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT THIS SATURDAY 8/29
The Limtiaco Consulting Group informed us that a contractor will be conducting a one-time demobilization of on-site equipment this TODAY (8/29) from 8:30AM to 3:30PM at the intersection of Auahi Street and Koula Street. Significant disruptions to traffic flow are not expected. If you have questions, contact (808) 596-7790 or justin@tlcghawaii.com.
KAPIOLANI PARK WALK-IN COVID COVID-19 TESTING THIS MONDAY AUGUST 31, 9AM – 2PM
Anybody can take the test, symptomatic or not. Register here.
HAWAII COULD LOSE MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDS: US Census Responses Low
We only have one month left before the 2020 Census ends. We won’t get our fair share of federal funds with our low self-response rate of 61.2% — lower than iour rate (64.1%) in 2010 at our last census. If undercounted by even 1%, we will lose more than $38 million federal funding every year for the next decade. Starting from 2021 distribution of all Federal funds will be based on the 2020 Census count. If you haven’t responded yet, please go to: https://my2020census.gov/ For questions, call Census Specialist Robert Su at 808-391-8233 or email robert.l.su@2020census.gov. Now that you’re home under the City stay-at-home Order, take a few minutes to respond to the census. It’s easy!
HOUSE COVID COMMITTEE HEARING THIS MONDAY: ECONOMY, CARES FUNDS, HOMELESS & HEALTH
Watch the virtual meeting this Monday, August 31, 2020 at 10:00 am on TV Oahu Channel 49 and on Olelo.org. The committee will hear reports on: Hawaii’s Economy (Carl Bonham), Communications and Economic Recovery Subcommittee (Ray Vara), CARES Funds (Lauren Nahme & Jill Tokuda), Housing and Homelessness (James Koshiba), and Queen’s Health Systems (Dr. Jill Hoggard Green). View the agenda here
MCCULLY-MOILIILI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD: Recess in September
The McCully/Moiliili Neighborhood Board No. 8. will recess its regular meeting in September to combat the potential spread of COVID-19. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2020 at a location to be determined, 6:30PM. For Neighborhood Board agendas and minutes, visit the web page here.
