HONOLULU — The Department of Health’s (DOH) Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD) reports an elderly Kaua‘i resident is the 22nd recorded COVID-19 death. This person died out of state, in Arizona, where he had been receiving treatment for several months for underlying medical conditions.
DOH did not provide the name of the individual.
The 21st fatality was also reported by DOCD over the weekend. This female died in an O‘ahu hospital Sunday morning and had previously been a resident of a care home. Today DOCD confirmed the 20th death, which occurred on July 7th, as an elderly O‘ahu man with underlying medical issues. His death was added after a review of his health history and discussions with his primary care physician.
State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson said, “We all extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of these three people. The best tribute to their lives and to the lives of all 22 people who’ve lost the fight against coronavirus, is getting everyone in Hawai‘i to take personal responsibility for their own health and the health of everyone around them.”
Most of the 86 additional cases recorded since last Friday are in previous clusters associated with “community-spread”, according to DOH. For example, a total of 44 cases are associated with a training activity at Hawaiian Airlines, in which a person infected during these meetings, is linked to a cluster of 20 cases involving two O‘ahu gyms. According to State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park, “This clearly shows how easily and quickly this virus can spread from person-to-person and from place-to-place when people are not practicing physical distancing, not wearing masks, not staying home when sick, and possibly not washing their hands frequently and thoroughly.”
Health experts urge individuals and our community as a whole to maintain safe practices and encourage others to do so to prevent the continuation of a spike in cases. Saturday had the greatest single day number of reported cases (42) since DOH began tracking cases in late February.
Other clusters, where community-spread is clearly the cause of additional cases, are pau hana gatherings, businesses, urgent care and long-term care facilities, and household clusters associated with social interactions (birthday parties, Father’s Day, 4th of July and religious functions).
“While the majority of Hawai‘i’s residents are using safe practices, clearly there are some who are not, and frankly unless everyone pays attention, we’ll unfortunately continue to see illnesses and deaths associated with COVID-19. Personal responsibility is the way we’ll again flatten the curve and retain Hawai‘i’s leadership through this unprecedented public health crisis. The upward trend of cases not only impacts people’s health but will likely delay our state’s economic recovery,” Anderson said.
So let me get this straight…
This person was in Arizona for several months for underlying conditions but its being chalked up as a COVID death? It stands to reason that, even without specifics, someone who had to travel to ARIZONA for treatment was likely facing some serious conditions before he/she was infected. You see how this type of statistic padding can fuel skepticism for the numbers we’re all seeing nation wide? What a crock. Now we’re hearing reports that people who’ve tested positive and gotten into car accidents, suicides, etc are all being counted as COVID related deaths. Give me a break…
I couldn’t agree more!! Can’t wait until the election is over…
LJ, People have all kinds of health issues. It doesnt mean they will die from all of the health issues. When someone dies, they have to determine the most prominent cause of death at the time of death. That is then declared as the cause of death.
“The Department of Health’s (DOH) Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD) reports an elderly Kaua‘i resident is the 22nd recorded COVID-19 death. This person died out of state, in Arizona, where he had been receiving treatment for several months for underlying medical conditions.”
So someone dies out of state, has been there several months, therefore could not have been infected here….but Kauai gets the “credit” for the death. I guess the politicos will take it and use for further justification that we need to literally kill the economy by extending the state border shutdown. We really have fallen down the rabbit hole.
RG DeSoto
How old is elderly? Any preexisting health problems? Why call it a Kauai death?
Hmmm. Kauai resident dies in AZ while being in hospital for months. Counted as HI death number 22. Also certainly counted as an AZ death. So: One person equals two covid deaths. Wow. I assume covid and Marxist riots won’t end until election day? They will not achieve their desired results.The left will be shocked on November 4.
The Marxist film A Night at the Opera had a riotous scene, if this is what you mean.
If the person would still be alive if not for Covid-19, then cause of death is Covid-19.
Remember, those spreading the overcounting point of view have the same political agenda as those claiming the imaginary voter fraud point of view.
I know two ladies who signed up to get tested but the line was to long so they left, later both got a positive reading! Who is benefiting from this I wonder!