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The Hawaii Department of Health recently received a significant financial boost for its efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has granted the state $14.2 million through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, which is partially funded by the American Rescue Plan.
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of having a prepared workforce, the ability to rapidly share scientific findings, and the translation of that science into practical and easily understandable policies. These objectives are all part of the CDC’s “Moving Forward” initiative, which aims to establish a strong public health infrastructure in every community and state.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC Director, emphasized the critical need for robust public health systems during her visit to Honolulu. She commended Hawaii’s innovative approaches to protect the health of its residents and stressed the importance of continuing to prioritize these programs and efforts.
Out of the $14.2 million grant, $13.5 million will be allocated to workforce development, including recruitment, training, and retention of staff. Another $705,000 will support foundational capabilities, such as a public health accreditation team, a department communications office, and community partnerships. The focus will be on benefiting rural and underrepresented populations.
During her visit, Dr. Walensky had the opportunity to listen to CDC grant recipients working on various programs, such as chronic health prevention, HIV/AIDS, immunizations, respiratory diseases, and overdose prevention. The Department of Health also briefed her on health issues affecting Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Island communities.
Although progress has been made in the fight against COVID-19, Dr. Walensky acknowledged that the CDC’s work is far from over. There are still hundreds of Americans dying from the virus each day, highlighting the importance of antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, and COVID vaccines. The CDC continues to encourage people to take the necessary measures to protect themselves.
Hawaii has performed admirably during the pandemic, with higher vaccination rates compared to the national average. The state has also seen steady COVID case counts, with a daily average of 66 new cases over the past week. The average positivity rate currently stands at 5.2%.
Despite these positive developments, the CDC faces challenges in its surveillance efforts due to the expiration of the federal public health emergency on May 11. The authority to mandate the reporting of COVID lab test data lies with the states, and many states are already reporting diminishing data. Additionally, the accuracy of case counts may be affected by home antigen tests, making it challenging to track test positivity accurately.
Dr. Walensky reassured the public that the CDC will strive to be transparent with the available data. Moving forward, the CDC will continue to share scientific findings, combat misinformation, and work towards rebuilding public trust, not only regarding COVID but also other diseases like avian flu.
Once again, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your support. Enjoy this free story, and stay safe and healthy!
[Embed the interactive line chart “Hawaii weekly COVID-19 cases”]
[Embed the chart “Coronavirus cases by island”]
[Embed the chart “Hawaii coronavirus cases by race compared to population”]
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