The State Auditor says it got no cooperation when it tried to get to the bottom of the Health Department’s methods for identifying how COVID-19 spreads.

Official says COVID-19 is now so out of control that contact tracing will no longer do much good to contain the current spike.

The chairwoman of a congressional subcommittee on health wants to know details about how the state spent $50 million in CARES Act money aimed at testing and tracing.

Economists who track how people move about in their daily lives say government restrictions appear to be necessary to control the spread of the virus.

The blue-ribbon committee of lawmakers and community leaders is pushing for state health officials to release more information and provide more effective public communication.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Honolulu Dr. Scott Miscovich lauded the virologist for revealing the lack of contact tracers to combat the crisis in Hawaii.

With cases spiraling out of control, State Epidemiologist Sarah Park has been replaced as head of Hawaii’s contact tracing program. Danette Wong Tomiyasu is taking over.

The state Department of Health is trying to hire new staff to address a shortage as the virus spreads.

Available data suggests Oahu should impose stricter measures, according to the state’s plan.