
(CDC Image) Transmission electron microscopic image of an isolate from the first U.S. case of COVID-19, formerly known as 2019-nCoV. The spherical viral particles, colorized blue, contain cross-section through the viral genome, seen as black dots.
Serving Hawaii County
by Big Island Video News8:53 pm
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STORY SUMMARY
HAWAIʻI ISLAND - State health officials said there are no cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi at this time.
(BIVN) – One person is under quarantine and 56 individuals are self-monitoring for signs of illness across the state, however there are no cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi at this time, state health officials say.
According to a joint information center daily update issued by the state on Friday, there are a “number of individuals being monitored or under quarantine because of their recent travel to China. These individuals were identified through screening by federal officials at the Daniel K. International Airport.”
Of the 56 persons who are self-monitoring, 4 are on the Big Island. Persons who are self-monitoring are individuals who “voluntarily remain at home and refrain from work, school, gathering places, and public transit,” and “communicate daily with Department of Health staff.”
A person who is under quarantine is “required to remain in a designated location and separated from others,” the health department says. “They are actively monitored by Department of Health staff. Quarantine is enforceable by law.”
The health department “is continuing to actively gather facts and interview individuals about a husband and wife who traveled together from Japan to Hawaii (Jan. 28-Feb.6) and after returning home to Japan, tested positive for COVID-19.”
“DOH was notified by the Japan Ministry of Health that the husband remains hospitalized and the wife has recovered,” the release stated. “The airlines and lodging facilities where they stayed on Oahu and Maui are reaching out to employees, staff and guests to keep them informed. DOH immediately began to identify possible close contacts and determine health risk. To date, no individuals with prolonged close contact have been identified in Hawaii. Casual contacts who are not at risk have been interviewed and are not in need of monitoring based on current federal guidelines.”
“All persons identified are either low or no risk under these guidelines, and no one is required to be monitored under public health supervision related to this situation,” the state emphasized. “Work to track possible close contacts is ongoing, and DOH is working closely with state, federal, and international partners.”
But the joint information center also added that there was some significance to Thursday’s date, saying:
The joint information center reported that on Feb. 20, the CDC announced travel advisories to Watch Level 1 for Japan and Hong Kong. Travelers are advised to practice usual precautions. On the same day, the State Department updated their travel guidance and recommended U.S. citizens reconsider travel by cruise ship to or within East Asia and the Asia-Pacific Region.
State officials also provided this information on the CDC Laboratory Test Kits:
The state says everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness with these everyday actions: