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Couple Tests Positive for Coronavirus After Returning From Vacation in Hawaii Couple Tests Positive for Coronavirus After Returning From Vacation in Hawaii
(1 day later)
A married couple tested positive for the coronavirus in Japan this week after returning from a 10-day vacation in Hawaii, during which the man began showing symptoms, health officials said.A married couple tested positive for the coronavirus in Japan this week after returning from a 10-day vacation in Hawaii, during which the man began showing symptoms, health officials said.
The husband and wife, who are both in their 60s, visited two Hawaiian islands in late January and early February, and the man grew ill while the couple was staying in a time-share in Honolulu, the authorities said on Saturday.The husband and wife, who are both in their 60s, visited two Hawaiian islands in late January and early February, and the man grew ill while the couple was staying in a time-share in Honolulu, the authorities said on Saturday.
Word of the couple’s positive tests raised concerns among health officials in Hawaii, who said they were working to track down people the couple had met during their time there.Word of the couple’s positive tests raised concerns among health officials in Hawaii, who said they were working to track down people the couple had met during their time there.
“All of the state agencies have been preparing for exactly this scenario, where someone visits the island and the virus is present,” Gov. David Ige said at a news conference. Mr. Ige said the situation was of serious concern, but that the state was prepared to deal with it.“All of the state agencies have been preparing for exactly this scenario, where someone visits the island and the virus is present,” Gov. David Ige said at a news conference. Mr. Ige said the situation was of serious concern, but that the state was prepared to deal with it.
The man fell ill during the second week of his vacation in Hawaii. At the time, officials said, the couple was staying at a time-share in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. Before that, the couple had been in Maui, but the man showed no symptoms while he was there. It remained unclear if the woman showed any symptoms while on vacation.The man fell ill during the second week of his vacation in Hawaii. At the time, officials said, the couple was staying at a time-share in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. Before that, the couple had been in Maui, but the man showed no symptoms while he was there. It remained unclear if the woman showed any symptoms while on vacation.
Updated Feb. 21, 2020 Updated Feb. 22, 2020
Officials said that the man began showing signs of illness on Feb. 3, and wore a mask when he went outside the time-share, the Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations, in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu. Representatives for Hilton did not respond to a message seeking more information.Officials said that the man began showing signs of illness on Feb. 3, and wore a mask when he went outside the time-share, the Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations, in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu. Representatives for Hilton did not respond to a message seeking more information.
Several days later, on Feb. 7, the couple returned to Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city. A day later, the man visited a hospital after developing a fever, but he was not admitted, Japan’s health ministry said. He learned he had pneumonia two days later, but was again released from a hospital.Several days later, on Feb. 7, the couple returned to Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city. A day later, the man visited a hospital after developing a fever, but he was not admitted, Japan’s health ministry said. He learned he had pneumonia two days later, but was again released from a hospital.
On Thursday, he was taken in an ambulance to a hospital for the third time, and Hawaii health officials learned on Friday morning that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. His wife also went to the hospital on Friday with a fever, and on Saturday, she was also confirmed to have the virus.On Thursday, he was taken in an ambulance to a hospital for the third time, and Hawaii health officials learned on Friday morning that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. His wife also went to the hospital on Friday with a fever, and on Saturday, she was also confirmed to have the virus.
Dr. Sarah Park, the state epidemiologist for the Hawaii Department of Health, said that the man was most likely infected either before he came to Hawaii or while he was on his way to Hawaii in late January. He did not have symptoms of the coronavirus while he was on Maui, officials said, and he wore a mask on the plane when he returned to Japan.Dr. Sarah Park, the state epidemiologist for the Hawaii Department of Health, said that the man was most likely infected either before he came to Hawaii or while he was on his way to Hawaii in late January. He did not have symptoms of the coronavirus while he was on Maui, officials said, and he wore a mask on the plane when he returned to Japan.
“I don’t believe the man was significantly infectious,” Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who is an emergency physician, said in an interview on Friday. “He could not transmit the virus, because he was not symptomatic at the time he was on the island.”“I don’t believe the man was significantly infectious,” Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who is an emergency physician, said in an interview on Friday. “He could not transmit the virus, because he was not symptomatic at the time he was on the island.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that while it may be possible to spread the virus before showing symptoms, it is much more likely to spread after symptoms begin.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that while it may be possible to spread the virus before showing symptoms, it is much more likely to spread after symptoms begin.
The lieutenant governor said that the authorities were contacting the management at the guest facilities where the couple stayed, as well as those who were working there.The lieutenant governor said that the authorities were contacting the management at the guest facilities where the couple stayed, as well as those who were working there.
“The only way to do this right is to contact everyone,” he said. “We are not worried about minimal contact, but those who had extensive contact will be given whatever support is necessary.”“The only way to do this right is to contact everyone,” he said. “We are not worried about minimal contact, but those who had extensive contact will be given whatever support is necessary.”
He said state health officials were focusing on anyone who might have been in contact with the man after Jan. 27.He said state health officials were focusing on anyone who might have been in contact with the man after Jan. 27.
The coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, has sickened more than 66,000 people worldwide, the vast majority in China, and killed at least 1,523 since the outbreak began in the city of Wuhan, China. In the United States, only 15 people have been infected, most of whom have mild symptoms.The coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, has sickened more than 66,000 people worldwide, the vast majority in China, and killed at least 1,523 since the outbreak began in the city of Wuhan, China. In the United States, only 15 people have been infected, most of whom have mild symptoms.
Barbara Tanabe contributed reporting.Barbara Tanabe contributed reporting.