Health

More Bovine TB Found on Molokai – UPDATED MEETING INFO

Monday, December 6th, 2021

Bovine tuberculosis has again been detected on Molokai after cases were confirmed earlier this year – this time in pigs in West Molokai, according to the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture (HDOA) on Sunday, Dec. 5.

In June, Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was found in a herd of cattle in central Molokai in June. The infected cow was originally from a beef cattle herd in Ho`olehua and was temporarily pastured in Mapulehu on the east end because of the ongoing drought, the HDOA previously stated. The herd was depopulated with federal indemnity, which compensates farmers for this type of loss.

Subsequently, bTB was detected in two additional cattle herds in the Ho’olehua area that were adjacent and in close contact with the first infected herd, according to the HDOA.…

HI COVID Cases Slow, Regulations Ease

Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

With COVID cases on the decline in Hawaii, Gov. David Ige announced changes to rules related to COVID-19 last week. While measures like the Safe Travels Program for entering the state and indoor mask mandates will continue, the governor said emergency orders of pandemic regulations will be transferred to the county level, and limits for social gatherings established in a Nov. 2 state order will end on Dec. 1.

“Hawaii residents have worn their masks and avoided large gatherings, even important family events,” said Ige. “Most of our residents are vaccinated. We worked together to keep our communities as safe as possible during this pandemic.…

Keiki Vaccines Offered on Molokai

Thursday, November 11th, 2021

Keiki Vaccines Offered on Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, health care providers on Molokai began administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 following recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last Tuesday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children.

“The CDC reviewed the clinical data and determined the vaccine is safe,” said state Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. “The Pfizer vaccine is effective in preventing severe illness and death. The vaccine will provide another important layer of protection in keeping our children and the entire community safe.”

On Friday, 10-year-old Link put on a brave face as he received one of Molokai General Hospital’s first keiki COVID vaccine doses.…

COVID and Flu Vaccines at Na Pu’uwai

Thursday, November 11th, 2021

Na Pu’uwai News Release

Na Puʻuwai offers regularly scheduled COVID-19 vaccine clinics for those who individuals needing their first, second or booster Pfizer vaccine. Our remaining COVID-19 vaccine clinic dates this year are Nov. 19 and Dec. 10. 

COVID-19 vaccination is free to the public, available to those who are age 5+ and by appointment only (no walk-ins will be accepted).

Na Puʻuwai is now also offering the flu vaccine! You can make an appointment Monday through Friday. Walk-ins for the flu vaccine are accepted and welcomed. 

To schedule an appointment for your COVID-19 or Flu Vaccine, please call us at (808) 560-3653 or email us at appointments@napuuwai.org

Cases Decline, State Readies for Child Vaccines

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai COVID cases continue to slow as the island logged two new COVID cases on Oct. 18, marking the only positive tests in the past week. According to the Dept. of Health, nearly 73 percent of Molokai’s population has initiated COVID-19 vaccinations – or 4,566 residents – and just over 68 percent, or 4,315 residents, are fully vaccinated, as of last week. 

Statewide, the daily average of new cases has dropped to 124 over the last week, according to the Dept. of Health. As the state reached 70 percent vaccinated two weeks ago – the benchmark at which Gov.…

Vaccines at Na Pu’uwai

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021

Na Pu’uwai News Release

Na Puʻuwai offers regularly scheduled COVID-19 vaccine clinics for those individuals needing their first, second or booster Pfizer vaccine. Our remaining 2021 COVID-19 vaccine clinic dates are Oct. 29, Nov. 19 and Dec. 10. COVID-19 vaccination is free to the public, available to those who are age 12 and over, and by appointment only (no walk ins will be accepted).

Na Puʻuwai is now also offering the flu vaccine. You can make an appointment Monday through Friday. Walk-ins for the flu vaccine are accepted and welcomed. To schedule an appointment for your COVID-19 or flu vaccine, please call us at (808) 560-3653 or email us at appointments@napuuwai.org

Molokai Cases Slow, State Hits 70% Vaccinated

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai has had six new COVID cases since the beginning of October, a marked decrease from recent spikes. Between Friday, Oct. 8 and Friday, Oct. 15, there were three individuals on island who tested positive, according to the Dept. of Health as of last Sunday. 

The State of Hawaii has reached a 70 percent vaccination rate, the DOH announced last Friday. The state had previously announced it would drop travel restrictions when it reached this target percentage but the governor has yet to say what will change now that the benchmark has been reached. 

DOH Director Dr.…

COVID at a Glance

Wednesday, October 6th, 2021

COVID at a Glance

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

New Molokai COVID cases slowed last week from high recent case counts, with eight new cases between Friday, Sept. 24 and Friday, Oct. 1. Total tally on Molokai since the pandemic began is now 231 cases, as of Sunday, according to Dept. of Health statistics. 

Statewide, there are 77,688 total cases since March 2020 and 6,810 cases in the last two weeks.…

20 New Cases Last Week

Thursday, September 30th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, Molokai had 20 new COVID cases between Friday, Sept. 17 and Friday, Sept. 24, peaking last Tuesday with six positive cases. As of Sunday, there were 49 active cases on island in the last two weeks. 

There were no new cases reported at Molokai schools last week. 

The Dept. of Health has authorized Pfizer booster doses for those over the age of 65 and individuals age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions, in line with CDC recommendations. First priority remains ensuring access for those who are unvaccinated. 

“As the science and the virus evolves, DOH will continue to make evidence-based decisions to ensure those at highest risk for severe illness have access to vaccines,” said Director of Health Dr.…

31 New Cases Last Week

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

31 New Cases Last Week

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week was a high case-count week for Molokai, with between one and six new COVID positives each day for a total of 31 new cases between Friday, Sept. 10 and Friday, Sept. 17. Friday, Sept. 10, the Dept. of Health reported five new cases for the island, Saturday had two, Sunday had five, Monday had three, Tuesday had four, Wednesday had one, Thursday had five and Friday closed the week with six new cases. The island is averaging four cases per day, according to DOH, with a total of 202 cases since the pandemic began, as of last Sunday. …