Epidemiologist: Hawaiʻi has advantage during COVID-19 pandemic

In Hawai`i, any area outside of Honolulu’s urban core is considered rural.

Courtesy NIH: Microscope image of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

LINK TO VIDEO AND SOUND (details below): https://bit.ly/2JtZYh4

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY: http://go.hawaii.edu/NiA

 WHAT -  As COVID-19 cases surge in cities like New York, some in Hawaiʻi fear the islands could also see an exponential rise of infections. UH Mānoa Epidemiology Professor Alan Katz, said because a majority of Hawaiʻi’s communities are mostly rural it could lessen the chance of a major outbreak. 

 WHY - According to Katz, the islands are not as heavily populated as New York City, where a majority of cases are being reported and that can be critical in minimizing the spread of the highly infectious virus. Because the incubation period for the virus is up to 14 days, the UH epidemiologist said Hawaiʻi will see more cases during the statewide lockdown, but is hopeful it won’t be extreme. 

 IMPORTANT -  In order to avoid a steep rise in COVID-19 cases, Katz urges everyone to continue to practice social distancing, good hygiene and adhere to the state’s lockdown order. 

 OTHER FACTS

•  Katz projects Hawaiʻi’s coronavirus curve could flatten within the next couple of weeks if health guidelines are followed.   

•  Social distancing is critical for a period during the pandemic. 

• COVID-19 is much more contagious than the seasonal flu. 

• Katz is a physician and laboratory director at Diamond Head Health Center. 

 VIDEO BROLL ( 1 minute, 34 seconds  )

• Generic shots of Hawaiʻi neighborhoods

• COVID-19 animation 

• COVID-19 sample testing 

 SOUNDBITES: 

Alan Katz/Epidemiologist, MD, UH Mānoa (20 seconds)

 (Hawaiʻi at an advantage because it’s predominantly rural)

“The only urban designation is Honolulu. Outside of Honolulu, even on the island of Oʻahu it’s rural. Rural means less densely populated and the key risk for person-to-person transmission is close person-to-person contact. That’s why social distancing is really the key for mitigation of transmission.”

Katz (18 seconds)

“The most important thing you can do is maintain social distancing. Stay six feet away from each other. That’s going to really dramatically mitigate person-to-person spread of this. If you’re not essential, if you’re supposed to be at home try to stay at home. Don’t aggregate in groups.”