The University of Hawaii system will transition to an optional mask policy after Friday.
Masks will no longer be required and will instead be “highly recommended” indoors and around people during crowded events, especially for those who are not vaccinated or are immunocompromised. The new rules apply to all 10 campuses including the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College.
“Changes to the masking policy at the University are reflective of changes we are seeing in our community, and have been made after consultation with our medical and public health experts that have helped guide our policy through the pandemic,” said UH-Hilo Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza. “We are cautiously optimistic that we are able to continue on this trajectory to normalcy.”
Masking will continue to be required for those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have contracted the virus. Masks must be worn for the duration of the 10-day isolation period and the infected person may return on day 6 if their symptoms are substantially improved and no fever has occurred for over 24 hours.
“UH will continue to remain highly vigilant, and COVID-19 restrictions may be quickly reinstated, if conditions change and warrant stronger measures,” said UH President David Lassner in the announcement, reminding everyone to be respectful of an individual’s choice to continue to wear a face mask and abide by signs that may be posted outside individual offices requesting that masks be worn for the protection of others.
“We would like to thank the University community for being understanding and nimble over the last two and a half years, and approaching the pandemic response with a community mindset,” said Rapoza. “We are happy to see the smiling faces of students and employees.”
The news comes as COVID case rates remain low throughout the state and county.
Hawaii County reported 158 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, up 24 cases from the week before, although cases are suspected to be much higher due to the increase in at-home testing.
Of the 10 new deaths reported statewide this week, none occurred in Hawaii County.
Bivalent boosters, known for targeting the initial strain of COVID-19 in addition to the Omicron variant, have started being administered throughout the state and county. So far, the state Department of Health reports that 11,022 doses of the new bivalent boosters have been administered throughout the state.
People are eligible for the bivalent booster two months after their last COVID vaccine dose, with Pfizer’s bivalent booster available for those 12 and older and Moderna’s available for those 18 and older.
Bivalent boosters are available throughout the Big Island including at KTA Pharmacy on Puainako street, Waimea Hospital, Kaiser Hilo Clinic, the Pahoa Longs Drugs on Kahakai Boulevard and several other locations that can be found by visiting https://tinyurl.com/5ya5e2hp
A new variant report released by the DOH on Tuesday confirmed 90% of all COVID cases in Hawaii County involved the Omicron BA.5 subvariant, now the dominant strain throughout the state. An additional 6% of cases in Hawaii County were attributed to the Omicron BA.4 variant and 4% to the Omicron BA.4.6 variant.
On Wednesday, the head of the World Health Organization confirmed that the number of coronavirus deaths worldwide last week was the lowest reported since the pandemic began in March 2020.
“We are not there yet, but the end is in sight,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press briefing Wednesday, comparing the effort to a marathon runner approaching the finish line. “Now is the time to run harder and make sure we cross the line and reap all the rewards of our hard work.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com