Hana’s 1st COVID-19 case; Maui spikes to 9 new; deaths now at 3
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The first case of coronavirus in Hana was reported Friday morning via Facebook by state Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English, who represents the Hana and East Maui district.
Meanwhile, the state reported an additional death Friday, bringing Hawaii’s total to three deaths.
The elderly Oahu resident had been hospitalized in critical condition on life support for several weeks after returning from travel to Washington state, state health officials said.
“We offer our sincere condolence to his family and friends at this difficult time,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson in a release. “His death, the third death in Hawaii, is a tragic reminder of the virulent and contagious nature of this virus. We all must all work together to stop the spread of this deadly disease. Stay healthy by staying home, and if you must go out, always keep a six foot distance from others.”
Today’s East Maui case comes in the wake of another rural COVID-19 case -- this one on Molokai, the island’s first, reported Thursday afternoon.
As of today at noon, Maui spiked nine new cases -- its largest single-day increase -- for a total of 36. Oahu rose 31 cases to 237. Kauai increased one to 13. Big Island added two to reach 20. There are 11 pending cases.
Overall, the state increased 34 new individuals to reach at total of 319.
State DOH mapping that charts ZIP codes of residents with coronavirus now shows the entire island of Maui covered, with between six to 10 cases each in West Maui and Wailuku, and the remainder of the island holding one to five cases per ZIP code.
Mayor Michael Victorino said that the county was notified early Friday of the positive COVID-19 results for a female Hana resident, who has travel history.
The Hana resident is in quarantine, and the state DOH is investigating, he said.
“I want to tell our Hana residents that we will be doing everything we can to protect their health and safety during these uncertain times,” Victorino said in a news release. “Please stay home as much as possible and practice aloha. We will continue to face these challenges together."
English said the case is alarming despite measures taken by the county and state to limit access to the rural East Maui communities.
“The preventative measures we have taken at the state and county level is critical to slow further spread of the virus into remote areas of East Maui, where access to supplies and medical attention is limited,” he said.