All 16 Hawaii coronavirus cases related to travel; ‘no evidence of community spread,’ health officials say
UPDATE: 2:48 p.m.
The state Department of Health said today that the two new cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, are Oahu residents who had traveled outside Hawaii.
”The Department of Health is monitoring these individuals and supervising their isolation as well as the self-quarantine of their family members,” officials said this afternoon.
In addition, the confirmed coronavirus case of a Kualoa Ranch tour guide, which was announced Monday, had not traveled, but had been exposed to travelers daily, officials said. Three family members from the person’s home were tested with negative results, they said.
”All cases who tested positive in Hawaii are travel related,” according to the Health Department. “There is no evidence of community spread in Hawaii at this time.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.”
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Two more Oahu residents have contracted the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 16, up from 14 Tuesday.
The total includes 10 cases on Oahu, three on Maui, two on Kauai and one on the Big Island. No details on the two new cases were immediately released.
“As COVID-19 spreads globally and now nationally, we are detecting more cases introduced into our state by both visitors and residents alike,” the state Department of Health said on its website. “While we do not yet have an indication of community transmission, these introductions are concerning, and each represents an opportunity for COVID-19 to spread in our state.”
State health officials are urging the community to stay at least 6 feet, or two arm’s length apart, whichever is longer, from one another and to especially protect the elderly and medically fragile with preexisting medical conditions.
People who may have contracted the virus, but are only mildly ill are advised to stay home, get rest, drink plenty of fluids, and not seek medical care. Those who are older or have underlying medical conditions and become ill should consult a doctor.
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This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.
