Some face masks may not be enough against omicron

HONOLULU (KHON2) – COVID infections continue to increase across the state, and new daily cases continue to be reported.

On Sunday, December 26, the state health department reported 2205 new covid infections, the highest daily number since the pandemic began. Oahu reported 1,841 infections with 13% positivity, followed by Maui County with 150 cases (7.4% positivity), Hawaii with 118 cases (6.2% positivity) and Kauai with 68 cases (6.1% positivity).

Doctors in Waikiki have been extremely busy in recent days, saying that their daily testing is up 200% and that they report a positive case every 20 to 30 minutes.

“I think what people really need to know is that [omicron] spreads quite quickly, and it is very contagious, ”explained Dr. Alan Wu from Doctors of Waikiki. “The symptoms tend to be much milder, and we see that the majority of cases are breakthrough cases right now.”[ads1];

He said he also sees people who have received a booster test positive as well, “But they tend to do much better, and that’s why the hospitalization rate, even if it increases, has not been too dramatic,” he explained.

He said it shows that the vaccines work and prevent people from serious illness and going to hospital.

He said that breakthrough infections are also increasing because many unvaccinated individuals refuse to be tested.

“You will still have a majority of unvaccinated people who refuse to test, and I bet if we tested every single person, the number would be greater than the 2,200 cases we reported today,” said Dr. Wu.

“I encourage everyone to continue to be vaccinated and people who think they’ve already had covid before and are not going to get it again, guess what? I see people with other covid infections right now. They had it before, they have it again, and we see it, ”continued Dr. Wu.

He said people should not give up because they have been given two vaccine doses or an extra booster syringe.

“They may not be wearing a mask as properly as they should be, and here at Doctors of Waikiki we see a positive case every 20 to 30 minutes here,” said Dr. Wu.

“Someone like me, who dries everyone, how can I stay safe? I have my surgical mask, and I use it properly, I pinch my nose. In addition, we have the face shield on “, he explained about the right way to protect you from omicron.

“The extra layer of barrier protection is so important that I think it helps people deter COVID,” he continued.

He said that people who are going shopping, eating or going to the mall to shop should wear an extra layer of protection with a surgical mask and face shield, or wear a surgical mask under the face mask.

“The more protection the better, the less chance of transfer, and of course get your booster,” he said.

“If you have an N95 mask, I would still encourage a face shield right now,” said Dr. Wu.

He said he has people who test positive who have been vaccinated and got a booster who said they had a surgical mask and still caught the virus. «If you do not pinch it properly, or you have a lot of air pockets on the side, it is not worn properly; so what is the best thing to do? Have another team, he continued.

He warns everyone to protect themselves in the best possible way because the state has weeks on it with this current increase.

Some stores are sold out for N95 masks. Dr. Wu said that if you buy them online, make sure they have FDA approval on the back or those that are NIOSH approved, are even higher and work better.

“Be safe, still walk around and do your thing, but you have to protect yourself,” he said.