Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, November 21, 2024 77° Today's Paper


Top News

Hawaii records 65 new coronavirus cases as the statewide tally rises to 31,446

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / APRIL 5
                                Beachgoers crowded the sands of Waikiki on a recent Monday afternoon. With the increasing prevalence of vaccinations and COVID-19 testing, more and more tourists are returning to Hawaii.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / APRIL 5

Beachgoers crowded the sands of Waikiki on a recent Monday afternoon. With the increasing prevalence of vaccinations and COVID-19 testing, more and more tourists are returning to Hawaii.

Hawaii Department of Health officials today reported 65 new coronavirus infections statewide, bringing the state’s total since the start of the pandemic to 30,446 cases.

State health officials reported no new coronavirus-related deaths as the statewide death toll remains at 474.

The state’s official coronavirus-related death toll includes 370 fatalities on Oahu, 53 on Hawaii island, 47 on Maui, one on Kauai, and three Hawaii residents who died outside the state.

The U.S. coronavirus-related death toll today is more than 567,000 and the nationwide infection tally is about 31.7 million.

Today’s new statewide infection cases include 52 on Oahu, 10 on Maui, two on Hawaii island, and one Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state, according to health officials.

The statistics released today reflect the new infection cases reported to the department on Saturday.

The total number of coronavirus cases by island since the start of the outbreak are 24,186 on Oahu, 3,257 on Maui, 2,644 in Hawaii County, 200 on Kauai, 111 on Lanai and 35 on Molokai. There are also 1,013 Hawaii residents who were diagnosed outside of the state.

Health officials also said today that of the state’s total infection count, 1,180 cases were considered to be active. Officials say they consider infections reported in the past 14 days to be a “proxy number for active cases.” The number of active cases in the state decreased by 26 today.

By island, Oahu has 801 active cases, Maui has 268, the Big Island has 106, Kauai has four, Molokai has one, and Lanai has none.

Health officials counted 4,021 new COVID-19 test results in today’s tally, for a 1.6% statewide positivity rate. The state’s 7-day average positivity rate is also 1.6%, according to the Hawaii COVID-19 Data dashboard.

The Hawaii COVID-19 vaccine summary said that 1,064,942 vaccine doses have been administered through state and federal distribution programs as of Friday. More than 35% of Hawaii’s population have received at least one dose through the state vaccine system, but that figure does not include those vaccinated through the federal programs

Of all the confirmed Hawaii infection cases, 2,078 have required hospitalizations, with one new hospitalization on Maui reported today by state health officials.

Eight hospitalizations in the statewide count are Hawaii residents who were diagnosed and treated outside the state. Of the 2,070 hospitalizations within the state, 1,749 have been on Oahu, 194 on Maui, 112 on the Big Island, nine on Kauai, five on Lanai and one on Molokai.

According to the latest information from the department’s Hawaii COVID-19 Data dashboard, a total of 45 patients with the virus were in Hawaii hospitals as of this morning, with 9 in intensive care units and four on ventilators.

Oahu moved into the less-restrictive Tier 3 of the city’s four-tier economic recovery plan on Feb. 25 after being in Tier 2 since Oct. 22. Tier 3 permits social and outdoor recreational gatherings of up to 10 people, and restaurants to seat 10 people at a table, up from five now. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on March 11 announced modifications to Tier 3, including allowing bars to reopen under the same conditions as restaurants and extending the curfew until midnight.

Honolulu will remain in Tier 3 of the city’s COVID-19 reopening framework until at least May 5.

Today’s seven-day average case count for Oahu is 56 and the seven-day average positivity rate is 2.0%, according to the mayor.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.