Stopping the virus in its tracks begins with all of us
Posted on Jul 29, 2020 in Capitol Connection, Featured
DOH’s Dr. Anderson and Dr. Park stress the need to stay vigilant.
“This is a wake-up call for all of us that COVID-19 is still a serious threat in Hawai‘i,” said state Department of Health (DOH) director Bruce Anderson. That warning came at a recent news conference as the state reported its highest numbers of COVID-19 cases. Although much of the concern has centered on out-of-state travelers, community spread has also increased in recent weeks. “Our biggest concern is that we continue to see these new cases with no known association to previous clusters,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Park. “The common theme is people are letting their guard down. It’s okay to be with family and friends, but keep your distance and mask up, whether you’re outside or inside.”
Kailua artist Shar Tuiasoa of Punky Aloha Studios offers her mask sign for free to businesses and schools.
Governor Ige, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Park emphasized the importance of making smart choices when it comes to activities and dining out. “Choose places where there’s enough physical distance and people are wearing masks,” said the governor. The DOH will continue to closely monitor the number of cases to ensure any increases are manageable. “We expect to see spikes, but we don’t want to see steady increases,” said Dr. Anderson. “Contact tracing is a reactionary step. It doesn’t substitute for distancing, masks, washing hands and the other steps we’ve been taking.”