The Hawaii Department of Health today reported 959 new COVID-19 infections over the past week, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 384,839.
Four more deaths were also reported, bringing the state’s COVID death toll to 1,868.
Today’s metrics show a leveling off after two consecutive weeks of increases in daily average cases and positivity rates.
The state’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases was at 138 a day, down from 151 a day reported on April 5. The state’s average positivity rate was at 9.2% compared to 10.2% reported on April 5.
The seven-day average is based on an earlier set of seven days (April 1 to 7) than the week-over-week infection count (April 4 to 10) because cases from the most recent three days may not have been reported yet.
Actual numbers are estimated to be several times higher since these figures do not include results from home test kits.
DOH also noted on its dashboard today that due to an error with a data file, a significant number of historical lab results were dropped. DOH is now working to correct the data.
The error, however, is not likely to affect today’s data drop of total case counts and positivity rate.
The number of cases per 100,000 people in the state was at 9.7, down from 10.7 the previous week.
By island, there were 758 new cases reported on Oahu, 54 on Hawaii island, 63 on Kauai, 75 on Maui, two on Molokai, and one on Lanai. Six infections were reported for Hawaii residents out of state.
Today, there are 60 COVID patients in hospitals, with seven in intensive care, according to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. The weekly average of COVID patients in hospitals dipped to 62 per day, down from 66 per day the previous week.
Omicron XBB.1.5 is the dominant subvariant circulating in Hawaii, currently, at about 84%, according to the latest DOH variant report. Others, such as XBB.1.5.1 and XBB.1.9.1/XBB.1.9.2 were also detected, and are at an estimated 4% and 7%, respectively.
DOH recommends individuals get the bivalent booster if they have not yet received one.
To date, 78.7% of Hawaii’s total population has completed the primary series of COVID vaccinations, according to the Health Department. A total of 305,166 residents, or about 27.3% of the state’s eligible population, has received the updated bivalent booster.
Those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are advised to get tested immediately and if positive, to consult with their health care provider regarding treatment, especially those over age 50 or with underlying medical conditions.