Here’s a look at other COVID-19 related news from throughout the state.
County publishes new brochure
Hawaii County published a “handy guide” to services to help the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is launching a new COVID-19 call center today to provide residents with further assistance.
The brochure, “A Guide for Our Community,” was developed to provide information about what programs are available during the crisis, including financial assistance, food assistance, medical assistance, help for seniors and other resources.
Copies of the brochure are being distributed islandwide, with an initial press run of 5,000.
The new call center, manned by county workers, will serve the public from 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To get help, contact the call center at 961-8665.
Department speeds up claims processing
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reiterated Thursday that it is “working as fast as it can” to handle the avalanche of unemployment claims.
In February, DLIR received about 700 claims each week. Recently, in one day, DLIR received some 25,000 filings.
Claims are being processed faster, thanks to an increase in staffing and volunteers and additional claims processing centers.
Individuals can check the status of their claims 24/7 at https://huiclaims2020.hawaii.gov/status.
Applicants are urged to make sure their applications are complete and accurate before they submit them since it affects how quickly they receive payments. DLIR is creating a whole new system for federal pandemic fund payments in May for self-employed individuals and gig workers — a group previously not covered by unemployment benefits.
Police: Mahalo to PPE donors
The Hawaii Police Department on Thursday thanked businesses and individuals “who have selflessly donated personal protective equipment (PPE) for our uniformed police officers during this COVID-19 pandemic. In response, we wish to highlight some of these donations.”
Dr. Joan M. Greco donated 345 custom-made 3D masks with N95 filter inserts to the department for dissemination to the uniformed officers in the field. The masks can be used by the officers as regular cloth facial coverings or provide maximum protection with N95 inserts when necessary.
Greco donated a sufficient number of masks to issue to each of the uniformed officers in the field around the island.
Home Depot donated 183 respirators, gloves and face shields
Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii donated 90 cloth masks
Others who generously donated cloth masks or PPE are 7-Eleven Hawaii, Dr. Boyd and Ann Daikawa Castro of Hilo Vet Clinic and Kristen Thario of Big Island Pulse.
“It is always heartwarming to know that our officers are appreciated by members of the community, and we are so ever grateful for the outpouring of support during this difficult time,” said Police Chief Paul Ferreira.