Coronavirus in Hawai‘i: Five New Cases and Fabric Stores Allowed to Open

Your daily update of everything you need to know surrounding COVID-19 on April 13.

April 13, 2020

Jayna Omaye,

The state total is now 504, up just five since Sunday. That includes two new cases each on O‘ahu and Maui County and one on the Big Island. State health officials confirmed the ninth COVID-19-related death on Saturday.

More than 19,200 COVID-19 tests have been administered, most through private labs. Of the 504 people who tested positive, 315 have been released from isolation.

About 12 warnings and more than 150 citations were issued and seven arrests were made during O‘ahu’s Easter weekend curfew, according to Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard. Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the city will not be extending or implementing any other curfews.

Caldwell signed an order today that allows fabric stores to open in a limited capacity to accommodate more people sewing cloth masks. Customers are able to order online, do curbside pickup and shop in store, but only two people will be allowed inside at a time.

As of Sunday night, 34 people tested positive for COVID-19 at Maui Memorial Medical Center, including two health care workers and one patient. The medical center and the Hawai‘i Department of Health are continuing to notify patients who may have been exposed.

Four O‘ahu residents were allowed to disembark from the Pacific Princess cruise ship today. They were screened before leaving and none had symptoms. All four were sent straight home, with a harbor police escort, to begin a 14-day quarantine. The cruise ship is scheduled to leave the Islands today.

Homeless individuals who need temporary shelter can visit the city’s Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage facility at Ke‘ehi Lagoon. The facility can host up to 80 people at a time in tents that are 6 feet apart.

The state has closed all offshore islets, including the Mokulua islets off of Kailua and Lanikai beaches and the Kāne‘ohe sandbar, after dozens of people were found congregating in the area during Easter weekend. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources issued 20 warnings to boaters at He‘eia Kea Small Boat Harbor on Sunday for violating the stay-at-home order. DLNR will also be closing the He‘eia Kea Small Boat Harbor ramp and trailer parking spaces tomorrow.

When asked if the state’s stay-at-home order will be lifted on April 30 or extended, Gov. David Ige said he’s been talking to the county mayors about this but did not give a specific deadline or date. Ige, who answered questions on today’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser COVID-19 Care Conversation, did say that when the mandate is lifted, officials are looking to phase in allowed activities.

State officials have created free posters and infographics, translated into 10 languages, that explain the importance of social distancing. Go here and here to download and print them.