The Corona Virus finally reaches Hawaii and will affect how people live their daily lives

In Hawaii, we have our Dad and Mom in a care home in Manoa. Until yesterday, there were no known cases of Corona Virus in Hawaii. Due to the location and the number of Asian visitors to Hawaii as well as Hawaii residents who visit Asia, it was only a matter of time before COVID-19 reached Hawaii. Yesterday they found out that someone from Hawaii has the Corona Virus who was on a cruise ship before returning to Hawaii. The biggest scare is like in Washington State, where a number of people who died were in a care home facility living together. As people get older, they tend to have less immunity and capacity to fight off infection and illnesses. Yesterday we received an email from the owner of the care home where my Dad and Mom live. The care home will stop all social contact and visits from family and friends until this crisis is over. It sounds a bit extreme but I guess if your residents are all senior citizens who are well into their 80s and 90s, that you would do all you could to protect them. So COVID-19 has reached all walks of life including our family. Below is a copy of the email we received from the care home.

Unfortunately the Department of Health has confirmed that there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Hawaii, although the person is reportedly doing ok at home (additional information from the Hawaii Department of Health and Honolulu Star Advertiser at the links below). Those exposed to the virus on the Grand Princess cruise ship had docked in Honolulu on February 27th. And because patients do not show symptoms for days, we are assuming that there has been undetected transmission to other people over the past 9 days.

With the arrival of COVID-19 to our Islands, we are escalating to the second phase of our infection control measures at the care home until further notice. Please note:

• All visits to the care home are prohibited except under extenuating circumstances. Feel free to call the home and/or schedule a videoconference session if you would like to be in communication with your loved one. We have Facetime and Google Hangouts available.

• All care home residents and staff shall wear facemasks to prevent the potential spread of pathogens to others in the home. While the CDC does not recommend using facemasks in public unless symptoms are present, we believe that everyone doing so at the care home will allow our residents an extra peace of mind as well as added protection.

• All caregivers will be screened prior to starting work. If they exhibit flu-like symptoms and in particular fever, cough, or shortness of breath, then they will be asked not to work.

• If any resident exhibits flu-like symptoms, he or she shall be quarantined to his or her bedroom until we can gather further information about his or her status.

• We have escalated our hand- and surface-sanitizing precautions. A bottle of alcohol based hand rub has been placed at each resident’s bedroom, and we have increased our surface disinfecting to at least every 1-2 hours, plus as needed. We shall ask all residents to use ABHR to sanitize their hands every 1-2 hours, and before and after meal service.

• We encourage you to reschedule your loved-ones social appointments, and remain in the care home unless necessary.

• Unfortunately at this time, our Easter party and future gatherings are on hold until further notice.

• Please help us to explain the situation and above precautions to your loved one.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time. While it is still early to determine the impact that COVID-19 will have on our community, we want to remain proactive to protect our residents from potential infection. Please let us know if you have any questions.