News

Maui Health is committed to the health and safety of our patients, staff and community

Wailuku, Maui, HI (July 29, 2021) – The Emergency Operations Center team of Maui Health have been closely monitoring the increase in COVID-19 positives within Maui County and the state. It is evident that COVID-19 and its variants are actively spreading. Currently, the Maui County positivity rate is at 3.1%, which is a 91% increase from two weeks ago. Most concerning is the rapid increase of variants on island, including the Delta variant, which is the most transmissible and responsible for more severe disease. In early June the random sampling of positive tests from Maui showed no trace of the Delta variant, but just a month later, it was evident in 33% of positive test samples. It is expected this variant, and others, are circulating more widely in our community than tests have shown.

This pace of increased community spread is all too familiar to Maui Health and with the many lessons learned throughout the duration of this pandemic, we are proactively instituting many of the safety precautions we know will help protect our employees, providers, patients, and visitors. This includes limiting visitation and access to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Effective Saturday July 31, 2021 no visitors will be allowed entry to MMMC, with the exception of the following:

• One (1) OB support person
• One (1) ADA (patients with disabilities) support person
• One (1) Parent/guardian of pediatric patients
• Up to two (2) visitors per patient for end of live, comfort care and/or significant changes in condition

This was a difficult decision as we understand the important role that loved ones provide in the health and well-being of our patients, but also recognize the need to reduce the potential introduction of the virus into the hospital. We are hopeful this restricted policy can be lifted soon, and we will continue to closely monitor the Maui County and state positivity rates for signs of reduced viral spread. In the interim, patients can connect with their loved ones virtually and our caregivers will help coordinate the use of a device if they do not have access to one.

The best protection from COVID-19 and its variants is the vaccine. We highly encourage any unvaccinated individuals to please reconsider. Help be a part of the solution to the pandemic. For more information on how to receive the vaccine and information on our visitor guidelines, please visit www.mauihealth.org

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About Maui Health
Maui Health, aka Maui Health System, community hospitals and associated clinics affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, includes Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, Lanai Community Hospital and associated clinics, and serves the people of Maui and Lanai. The facilities under Maui Health employ more than 1500 Maui County residents, partner with over 460 hospital-based physicians, clinicians, and community-based primary and specialty physicians, and are open to all patients regardless of health insurance coverage. Maui Health is committed to delivering high quality, affordable, patient-centered health care and improving the health of the community. Maui Health is supported by Kaiser Permanente’s industry-leading technology systems, evidence-based medicine and nationally recognized care quality. For more information, visit mauihealth.org.