Mayor Michael Victorino and Maui Memorial Medical Center Chief Medical Director Michael Shea, M.D., issued a joint statement in light of rising numbers of hospitalized COVID-19 cases.

“Today there are 23 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at Maui Memorial Medical Center, three in the ICU and two on ventilators, which is an over 60% increase from just two weeks ago. Throughout this pandemic, the residents of Maui County have worked together to slow the spread of COVID-19 to help protect our health care resources. We ask that you continue to do your part with respectful masking, staying informed, and by practicing COVIDsense. 

Although masks are no longer required in most public places, it is more important than ever to wear your mask in situations where transmission risk is high – such as indoor spaces like offices, restaurants and bars, retail shops, and public transportation. Mask-wearing outdoors and social distancing can also protect you and others when in close, prolonged contact with groups of people from outside of your household. 

Our request is in line with advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for areas with the highest risk (red) level for COVID-19 community transmission. The CDC elevated Maui County’s positivity status to red on May 19, 2022.”