Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is questioning the effectiveness of a surveillance testing program meant to be a key safety net in the safe reopening of Hawaii tourism. Read more
The tests are set to arrive in two to three shipments by December and be used to detect the new coronavirus in schools, nursing homes and correctional facilities and during large outbreaks in emergencies, the Health Department said. Read more
A Christian college in Kailua-Kona said more than half of its 52 COVID-19-infected students, faculty and staff are now recovered. Read more
Hawaii island Mayor Harry Kim is standing by his decision not to participate in the state’s pre-travel testing program unless the governor approves a two-test option for the island that has seen cases surge in recent weeks. Read more
Hawaii island Mayor Harry Kim said he is opting out of the state’s pre-travel testing program starting on Oct. 15, which means mainland visitors going to the Big Island still will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Read more
The worker, who is in self-quarantine, was last on the job on Saturday. Read more
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The 259-bed Life Care Center of Hilo reported Thursday evening that there are 11 active resident cases, including three at Hilo Medical Center. Read more
Hawaii hospitals are predicting a third and potentially more devastating wave of COVID-19 on the horizon as flu season gets underway, schools and tourism reopen and more people gather during the holidays. Read more
A wrongful death lawsuit against the operator of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo has been filed by the sons of Chris Drayer, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who died after contracting COVID-19 in Hawaii’s largest coronavirus nursing home outbreak. Read more
The 92-bed Liliha nursing home, which had a total of 65 residents, is scrambling to contain a COVID-19 outbreak that has so far sickened 21 residents and six staff members. Read more
Chris Drayer, a decorated veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, died after contracting COVID-19 in Hawaii’s largest coronavirus nursing home outbreak. Read more
The coronavirus infiltrated the Liliha Healthcare Center after an employee tested positive on Sept. 16. Read more
A Liliha nursing home is scrambling to contain a COVID-19 outbreak that has so far sickened 21 residents and six staff members. Read more
Asterio “Terry” Canda, 80, had a mild stroke and was admitted on Aug. 22 into the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo for speech and physical therapy. Read more
The DOH estimates the upcoming flu season may result in as many as 1,000 Hawaii deaths due to pneumonia and influenza and about 10,000 cases. Read more
The state Department of Health is spending $14 million in federal CARES Act money to boost staffing at Hawaii hospitals statewide over the next four months. Read more
The mayor said Tuesday at a news conference that he also is supporting additional surge testing and has contracted with a market research call center with 80 employees that will be trained and ready to start contact tracing work. Read more
Coronavirus transmission brought in from Liberty Dialysis and internal spread in the employee break room of a Hilo veterans home appear to be among the origins of the largest COVID-19 nursing facility outbreaks in Hawaii. Read more
The death toll at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo has risen to 18 as authorities scramble to stop the worst coronavirus outbreak at a Hawaii nursing home. Read more
The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home was a source of concern for federal regulators even before the pandemic, earning an overall “below average” rating and a citation for failing to provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. Read more
After months of ambiguity in public policy to reopen the economy, Gov. David Ige announced a new leadership team Wednesday with the specific focus on restoring the state’s most important economic engine. Read more
