Keep everyone safe: Do your part to slow the spread
Posted on Mar 28, 2020 in Capitol Connection, Featured
Visit DOH’s new COVID-19 website for valuable information: www.hawaiicovid.com
STAY UPDATED WITH NEW COVID-19 WEBSITE
The state has launched a new website — www.hawaiicovid19.com — to equip residents and visitors with accurate, easy-to-understand information to help control the spread of COVID-19. It will serve as a hub for Hawai‘i’s coordinated community effort to combat the disease statewide. The public can also find daily updates from the Department of Health (DOH) by going to https://health.hawaii.gov/updates/.
DOH director Bruce Anderson emphasized, “Staying informed with reliable, current guidance is a key in our community’s fight against COVID-19. In the coming weeks, this site will be a critical source of information.”
The website currently contains information on:
• Daily prevention for individuals and families
• Guidance and best practices for community spaces
• How to protect those most at risk
• Symptoms and testing protocols
• Daily updates from the state Department of Health
• Printable materials for use in homes and public places
PLEASE PROTECT, DON’T INFECT
Basic advice to prevent infection
• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face
• Cover your cough or sneeze
• Avoid crowds and practice “social distancing”
• Stay home if you’re sick to avoid infecting others
• Clean and disinfect “common touch” surfaces
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FEEL SICK?
• First, contact your healthcare provider to determine if you need to have an in-person visit and whether you meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing. People eligible for testing must have symptoms, including fever, cough or shortness of breath and have recently traveled to high-risk areas, had contact with tourists, exposure to someone who has tested positive, or have jobs that put them at risk. For testing, you will need a doctor’s referral unless you are already at a facility with physicians on-site.
• Healthcare personnel at one of the screening sites will take a swab and the specimen will be sent to a private or state lab for resting. During this time, you must self-quarantine at home until the test results are available, which could be up to 3 to 4 days or longer.
• If you are healthy or have mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, the Department of Health urges you to stay at home, rest, drink liquids, and avoid an unnecessary visit to a screening site.
CALL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
The Aloha United Way call center is open daily between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. seven days a week. Call 2-1-1 from any location in the state; text 877-275-6569; or email [email protected]
The public can also contact the Queen’s Medical Center COVID-19 infoline at (808) 691-2619. Clinicians will be available to callers 24-7.
Questions on the exemptions can be sent to: [email protected]
Offers to volunteer and resources to assist: [email protected]