[ad_1]
Molokai has seen an increase in the number of cases in recent weeks, putting the island’s population of around 6,275 on alert.
As of Saturday, the island had seen 31 cases in the past 14 days and a 4.4% positivity rate, according to the State Department of Health.
“I think we kind of had a perfect storm,” said Helen Kekalia Wescoatt, executive director of Molokai Community Health Center. “Relaxed restrictions combined with the emergence of the delta variant in the population, just as people were relaxing and really looking forward to the new standard after vaccines.”
Additionally, she said vaccination rates in Molokai were “not quite there yet” to protect everyone, as people were traveling during the summer followed by the start of the school year.
“This is where we really saw transmission rates peak,” she said.
The health center offers free antigen tests for COVID-19 by appointment on weekdays, as well as Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. At the end of August, the center also announced the availability of monoclonal antibody treatment, which is free for patients and community members to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations from the coronavirus.
Molokai is one of the most vulnerable areas in the state, she said, with limited resources, so it was important that this be available on the island.
Demand for testing has increased dramatically in recent weeks, according to Wescoatt, alongside a slight increase in COVID-19 vaccinations, possibly due to employer mandates and county policies.
Maui County’s Safer Outside rules took effect on Wednesday, requiring proof of vaccination to enter bars, restaurants and gyms. Employees of these establishments must also show proof of vaccination or take weekly tests for COVID-19.
Currently, around 65% of Molokai’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 70% have received at least one injection.
Over the past week, daily cases have ranged from two to five per day. Molokai also recorded her first coronavirus-related death in late August – a woman in her 60s who was hospitalized with underlying conditions.
The Molokai Dispatch newspaper published a community notice commemorating the death of Dianna Solatorio of Halawa Valley, who was known for her warmth, generosity, love of family and cooking, the Dispatch said.
State Senator Lynn DeCoite said Solatorio was a beloved member of the community that touched the hearts of many.
The reality of one death and the growing number of cases in Molokai is having a big impact on the small community, where people had relaxed over the summer and gathered for parties and to put loved ones to rest, she declared. In addition, many kupuna, like his own father, wanted to go to Las Vegas.
“I think it’s starting to hit home,” DeCoite said. “I saw a change here. I think people are starting to understand that it can kill us. I saw a change in attitude for those who weren’t hiding before hiding themselves. “
More residents are asking questions about the delta variant, now the dominant strain statewide, and are now open to vaccination.
“Of course, there are many who have been skeptical about the vaccination,” DeCoite said. “I think for many it hit home. After their families contracted COVID, some decided to get the COVID vaccine. “
Statewide, the daily number of coronavirus cases has tended to decline over the past week, and the seven-day average of daily new cases on Saturday was 526, with a positivity rate of 6.1% .
Molokai’s positivity rate also fell slightly, to 4.5% from 5.3% at the end of August.
But the people of Molokai must always be careful, according to DeCoite, due to the potentially damaging impacts of an outbreak on an island with a single hospital and only three main grocery stores.
In a press conference with Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino, lawmakers explained that when a store has to close, queues get longer at other stores.
The first known case of the coronavirus in Molokai was confirmed by Maui County officials in April 2020 in a male resident who had traveled to Las Vegas. He was reportedly an employee of the island’s main grocery store, which has temporarily closed.
With just one airline – Mokulele Airlines – offering flights to Maui, an outbreak affecting its workers would impact the entire community.
And since Molokai only has one hospital, residents are aware that if they need a ventilator or oxygen, they will need to be transferred to Queen’s Medical Center in Oahu. Residents are also aware that Oahu’s hospitals are at full capacity.
Coronavirus testing options are available on the island, DeCoite said, including free testing at Molokai Drugs, which was recently announced by the Department of Health.
But some residents are reluctant to get tested because of the ‘coconut cordless’. People shouldn’t be ashamed if they contract COVID-19, DeCoite said, and “respect has to be there for people who have it” because it might not be their fault.
DeCoite said everyone must do their part by masquerading, distancing themselves and letting others know if they are infected.
“It’s really up to people,” she said.
As of Friday, there were no COVID-19 patients at the 15-bed Molokai General Hospital, which is operated by The Queen’s Health Systems.
“We are here for the community and do all we can to ensure that our patients receive the care they need,” Jan Kalanihuia, president of Molokai General Hospital, said in a statement. “We recognize the capacity issues in Oahu hospitals and have done everything possible to prepare for the possibility that it will become difficult for us to send a patient – COVID positive or not – to Oahu due to the increasing numbers COVID patients in all hospitals in Hawaii.
[ad_2]
Source link