Stay away from Hawaii. That’s the warning of an emergency physician in Los Angeles and the Island State’s own governor right now, mostly because of the recent COVID-19 spread.
Hawaii has seen more than 9,300 new COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks, according to CBS News. Intensive care unit beds have been filling up as the state reckons with the delta variant.
Should you visit Hawaii?
Dr. Michael Daignault, an emergency physician in Los Angeles, said he’s been asked by his patients about traveling to Hawaii. He told Hawaii News Now that he does not recommend visiting Hawaii because of the novel coronavirus.
- “I would advise people to not go now. You have to be responsible. You have to consider that Hawaii is a national treasure and we need to preserve it and protect its people,” he told Hawaii News Now.
Daignault said in an Instagram post that visitors should get a negative COVID-19 test, and they should avoid large crowds, according to Hawaii News Now.
- “I think Hawaii of all states is such a fragile situation.”
- “I advise patients or family member or friends to not travel anywhere that has has a high surge of COVID cases,” he added.
Hawaii governor doesn’t want you to visit, either
Hawaii Gov. David Ige warned Monday that visitors and residents should reduce travel between islands as the state struggles to contain the delta variant, according to NPR.
- “It is a risky time to be traveling right now,” he said.
- He said he wanted to stop any travel to Hawaii from outside visitors through the end of October, too.
Ige encouraged people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to avoid indoor settings when possible.