COVID-19 Information

The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19. Some other viruses, like the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. At this time, it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when weather becomes warmer. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.

Quarantine means separating a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not developed illness (symptoms) from others who have not been exposed, in order to prevent the possible spread of that disease. Quarantine is usually established for the incubation period of the communicable disease, which is the span of time during which people have developed illness after exposure. For COVID-19, the period of quarantine is 14 days from the last date of exposure, because 14 days is the longest incubation period seen for similar coronaviruses. Someone who has been released from COVID-19 quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others because they have not developed illness during the incubation period.

The CDC recommends these general practices to help prevent spreading viruses:

• Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home from large gatherings.
• When possible, use video or phone calls instead of meeting in-person to avoid potential exposure.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you start feeling virus symptoms.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Based upon available information to date, those most at risk include

• People 65 years and older
• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• People of any age with underlying medical conditions, particularly those that are not well controlled, including but not limited to chronic lung disease or asthma, congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease, diabetes, weakened immune system, and people who are pregnant.

During an outbreak, stay calm and put your preparedness plan to work. Follow the steps below:

Protect yourself and others.

Stay home if you are sick. Keep away from people who are sick. Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).

Put your household plan into action.

Stay informed about the local COVID-19 situation. Be aware of temporary school dismissals in your area, as this may affect your household’s daily routine.

Continue practicing everyday preventive actions. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily using a regular household detergent and water.

Notify your workplace as soon as possible if your regular work schedule changes. Ask to work from home or take leave if you or someone in your household gets sick with COVID-19 symptoms, or if your child’s school is dismissed temporarily. Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.

Stay in touch with others by phone or email. If you have a chronic medical condition and live alone, ask family, friends, and health care providers to check on you during an outbreak. Stay in touch with family and friends, especially those at increased risk of developing severe illness, such as older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions.

We partnering with the Maui Health Foundation to serve as a community drop-off site for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations. PPE donations such as N95 masks, non-latex gloves, etc. will be gratefully received and used where needed. We have a drop-off location available Monday through Friday outside of Maui Memorial Medical Center.

If you would like to make a difference in our preparedness and support the hospital during this critical time, visit our COVID-19 Relief Fund page.

Once your form is received by the Foundation, they will email you the drop off location and instructions. Please allow 48 hours for a reply.

If you have questions, call the Maui Health Foundation at 808-442-5191.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. If infected, symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs include but are not limited to:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning. Keep away from others who are sick, and limit close contact with other people as much as possible, maintaining 6+ ft of distance.

Contact your doctor to see if you need to be tested. Your doctor will work with the Hawai‘i DOH and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.  Be prepared to discuss your symptoms and recent travel history.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor. If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. Put on a face mask before you enter a healthcare facility.

Do you want to be tested for COVID-19?

Not everyone needs to be tested. Testing is available only under certain circumstances:

• First, contact your healthcare provider in advance to determine if you need to have an in-person visit with your provider. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call the nearest healthcare provider to see if you should come in or remain at home.
• Your provider will determine over the phone whether you meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing.
• If your provider directs you to come in for a screening, bring a photo ID and your provider’s order.
• Your provider will take a swab for testing.
• The specimen will be sent to a private or state lab for the results. During this time, you are expected to self-quarantine at home until the test results are available, which could be up to 3 to 4 days.
• If you are healthy or experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, DOH urges you to stay at home and avoid an unnecessary visit to a screening site. The screening sites are only for those who are severely ill with COVID-19 symptoms.

Please note that conditions are changing rapidly and testing options may change.

Maui Health hospitals - Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC), Kula Hospital, and Lanai Community Hospital - are not doing community screening and testing for COVID-19 as stated on a Hawaii DOH document that was posted on their website.

MMMC, Kula and Lanai hospitals are providing emergency care only. Maui Memorial Medical Center has the ability to take samples if a person is sick and presents with symptoms that are consistent with the disease, but we are not a community testing site.

Maui Health is working closely with the County and State to assist in the placement of a public testing site in the very near future.