Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness for the Public

What you can do to prepare...

covid-vaccine-timeline

For the health of our community it is most important to make sure that all eligible people receive the coronavirus vaccine. Here at UHP we have received many inquiries about when it may become available to the general public.

Initially the vaccine distribution to Hawaii is limited and will be rolled out to frontline health workers and vulnerable nursing home patients only. As the vaccine supply increases in early 2021, other first responders and others over age 75 will be eligible. Later in the Spring, those over 65 and other workers essential to the economy may be vaccinated. The state plan calls for vaccine to be administered to the general public at large in the summer months. Please see the schematic below for details.

Please see the State of Hawaii COVID 19 portal, which is an excellent reference that will be updated as circumstances change. HawaiiCOVID19.com/Vaccine.

The vaccines that are available to us in Hawaii have been rigorously tested and found to be safe. If you have particular health circumstances or concerns about receiving the vaccine, please discuss them with your personal physician.

If you would like to get established with a personal physician, please call us at 469-4982.

Wishing you the best of health in 2021!

Taking Care of Yourself and Those Around You

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 or specific antiviral drugs to treat it.

 Important steps to protect yourself include:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow (not your hand), or use a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Avoid sharing food utensils, containers and other personal items.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Get a flu shot. (While it won’t protect against COVID-19, it may help in diagnosis should you display symptoms.)

 

To protect those around you, stay home if you are sick.

If you become ill with a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher) or cough, and have recently left an area having widespread community transmission of COVID-19 or have had prolonged close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19, call HDOH at (808) 586-4586 or your doctor’s office for guidance. If you have trouble breathing, seek medical care immediately or call 911. Be prepared to describe your symptoms, travel history and any contacts with individuals who may have been in an area with widespread prevalence of COVID-19.

Preparing for a Possible Outbreak in Hawaiʻi

Preparing for COVID-19 is similar in many ways to preparing for a flu outbreak or other emergency. Things you can to do prepare yourself and those around you include:

  • Check and refresh your disaster supply kit, which should have at least 14 days of food and supplies for everyone in your family and your pets.
  • Stock up on all prescription medications—90 days is recommended.
  • Prepare for and consider practicing basic social distancing measures like limiting your time spent around large groups and avoiding unnecessary close contact with people (e.g., use fist bumps instead of handshakes or kisses).
  • Consider stocking up with a 1 month’s supply of basic household and hygiene items. Supplies of these items may be affected in the event of a pandemic and avoiding excessive trips to crowded stores helps with social distancing and protection.
  • Plan for the possibility of cancelled events and activities.

 

Public Information on COVID-19

We advise everyone to follow authoritative updates from the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (HDOH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State for the latest information and recommended actions for protection.

Additional Resources

For up to date information regarding COVID-19, visit the following websites:

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