HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-18 Coronavirus Update Incident: Coronavirus Update Message
This is a Civil Defense message.
This is a Coronavirus informational update for Wednesday, March 18 at 9:00 in the morning.
On State of Hawaii Updates:
Governor Ige announced yesterday the State's 15-day plan to address the coronavirus issue. For complete
coverage of the State's plan, please visit Hawaii County Civil Defense webpage at www.hawaiicounty.gov;
click on Civil Defense.
This message is to clarify your Hawaii County Government's status.
The County of Hawaii will maintain of its services and operations as normal. All County employees are to
report to work as scheduled.
The State's press release on closures for restaurants, bars, and places of worship acted as a guide for all
counties. Within this county, restaurants, bars, and places of worship may make their own decision as to open
or close.
If restaurants, bars, and places of worship decide to remain open, do address how you will minimize risk to
your personnel and your customers. This is of assurance of cleanliness of disinfecting and sanitizing your
facility and of social distancing.
If places decide to remain open, the County of Hawaii, with its Open Task Force, will be glad to assist any
entity with ideas and ways to remain open and keep communities safe. So, if you do need help, please call
Civil Defense at 935-0031.
On Department of Health Updates:
• The Department of Health confirmed yesterday the first case of coronavirus on Hawaii Island. A person
in Hawaii County tested positive for the coronavirus and has been and continues to be isolated and is
currently being monitored by the Department of Health.
• The Department of Health is working to identify who might have had close contact with this person.
• The Department of Health, along with Hawaii Island healthcare partners, has established coronavirus
test facilities in Hawaii County at the following locations;
o Hilo Medical Center
o Kona Community Hospital
o And, North Hawaii Community Hospital
• In order to be tested, please be advised that your physician or a health clinic must prescribe the test to
be done, and you must have a valid ID and an insurance card. For those who do not have a healthcare
doctor or insurance, evaluation will be conducted at the Emergency Room.
Your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency will continue to give you daily updates and you will be
notified of any changes that may affect your safety.
Have a safe day.
This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.