Booster shots available but emphasis still on the unvaccinated
Some Big Island residents who are fully inoculated against COVID-19 with a vaccine from Pfizer are now eligible for a booster dose — although the state Department of Health continues to prioritize immunizations for the unvaccinated.
Nearly 90% of state employees are vaccinated
Nearly 90% of Hawaii’s executive branch employees were vaccinated for COVID-19 as of the start of last week, the state Department of Human Resources Development on Friday announced.
Big island COVID tally tops 9,700
Big Island COVID tally tops 9,700
US booster shots start, even as millions remain unprotected
The U.S. launched a campaign to offer boosters of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to millions of Americans on Friday even as federal health officials stressed the real problem remains getting first shots to the unvaccinated.
Who can get the booster?
WHO SHOULD GET THE PFIZER BOOSTER?
Public defender tells high court prison situation ‘dire’
Deputy Public Defender Jon Ikenaga told the state Supreme Court on Wednesday the current COVID-19 situation in Hawaii’s jails and prisons is “significantly more dire” than in August 2020 when the court issued an order to decrease populations in correctional facilities in an attempt to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Honolulu police officer decides to get vaccine to save job
HONOLULU — A Honolulu police officer decided to get vaccinated against COVID-19 instead of losing his job.
‘Maderna’ tourist wanted after skipping Hawaii Zoom hearing
HONOLULU — A judge issued a bench warrant for an Illinois woman after she failed to appear for a virtual court hearing Wednesday following her arrest for an alleged fake COVID-19 vaccination card that misspelled Moderna as “Maderna.”
COVID-19 creates dire US shortage of teachers, school staff
SAN FRANCISCO — One desperate California school district is sending flyers home in students’ lunchboxes, telling parents it’s “now hiring.” Elsewhere, principals are filling in as crossing guards, teachers are being offered signing bonuses and schools are moving back to online learning.
Anti-vaccine leader has regrets after getting COVID
HONOLULU — A man who helped organize a Hawaii group that opposes COVID-19 vaccines and mandates says he contracted the disease and now has regrets.
COVID-19 antibody treatments capped amid shortage
HONOLULU — Hawaii health care providers are receiving only half the number of monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 that they requested amid a shortage of the drugs.
‘Soul-crushing’: US COVID-19 deaths are topping 1,900 a day
COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have climbed to an average of more than 1,900 a day for the first time since early March, with experts saying the virus is preying largely on a distinct group: 71 million unvaccinated Americans.
Experts eye more travel testing to contain COVID in Hawaii
HONOLULU — Hawaii officials are facing pressure to increase COVID-19 testing for travelers as the islands deal with a record surge of new infections, hospitalization and deaths. The calls come as federal guidelines change to require negative virus tests from both vaccinated and unvaccinated people coming to the U.S.
State reports 431 new COVID-19 cases, bringing statewide total to 75,911
The Big Island Monday reported 59 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the island’s tally to 9,511.
Hawaii airport workers given extra time for vaccine mandate
HONOLULU — Airline workers and Transportation Security Administration staff have been granted a grace period to comply with a Hawaii order that requires people going to state facilities like airports to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
US easing virus restrictions for foreign flights to America
WASHINGTON — In a major easing of pandemic travel restrictions, the U.S. said Monday it will allow foreigners to fly into the country this fall if they have vaccination proof and a negative COVID-19 test — changes replacing a hodgepodge of rules that had kept out many non-citizens and irritated allies in Europe and beyond where virus cases are lower.
COVID-19 surge tapers off
Hawaii appears to be “out of the red zone” for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
COVID has killed about as many Americans as the 1918-19 flu
COVID-19 has now killed about as many Americans as the 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic did — approximately 675,000.
Hawaii sees few flu cases so far
Hawaii is heading into its second flu season since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Top doctors say not so fast to Biden’s boosters-for-all plan
WASHINGTON — Just one month ago, President Joe Biden and his health advisers announced big plans to soon deliver a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine to all Americans. But after campaigning for the White House on a pledge to “follow the science,” Biden found himself uncharacteristically ahead of it with that lofty pronouncement.
