BREAKING: New Single-Day Record: 109 New COVID-19 Cases in Hawai‘i (98 on O‘ahu, 9 on Maui, 2 on Kaua‘i)
The number of COVID-19 cases reported today has hit another single-day record, although the State had been anticipating the increase due to lab closures on Sunday and Monday after Hurricane Douglas.
The case count for today stands at a total of 109. That includes 98 on O‘ahu, nine on Maui, and two on Kaua‘i. A total of 5,160 tests were processed between yesterday and today. State official say that normally, about 1,000-2,000 tests are processed each day.
This comes after record high daily totals reported on Thursday (55), Friday (60) and Saturday (73). There were also 64 cases reported on Sunday, 28 cases on Monday and 47 cases on Tuesday.
• 64 New Covid-19 Cases in Hawai‘i on Sunday: 55 on O‘ahu, 7 on Maui, 2 on Kaua‘i
• Third Consecutive Day of Record High Numbers on Saturday, July 25 with 73 New COVID-19 Cases
• Second Day of Record High Numbers on Friday July 24 with 60 New COVID-19 Cases in Hawaii
• Record High Numbers on Thursday, July 23 with 55 New COVID-19 Cases in Hawaii
“The dramatic increase in cases reported today was anticipated based on recent trends since the Fourth of July weekend, which continue,” said State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson. “We are seeing an increase in small and large social gatherings, including gatherings on beaches and in our parks, at homes and in workplaces. We have also recently seen an increase in cases associated with bars, gyms other establishments where physical distancing and masking is not regularly practiced. Based on data collected on cases through our investigations and contact tracing, we are recommending that strategic actions be taken to further restrict activities associated with these cases,” said Anderson. Venues where multiple clusters have been identified, such as in bars and gyms, will obviously be targeted, according to Anderson.
Multiple household and other clusters have been associated with social interactions such as house parties, beach parties/gatherings, birthday parties, father’s day and 4th of July gatherings, religious functions, co-workers sitting in prolonged meetings while removing masks to eat or drink, shopping, funeral events, meeting for drinks and socializing at bars.
“We’re seeing relaxed rules around our community and in businesses where people stop wearing masks and don’t practice physical distancing. We all have to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves as well as others. Masking and physical distancing not only protect us but also those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. As we anticipate schools to re-open, our children are going to need to look to adults to set an example and we can’t let out guards down right now.”
• Mayor Victorino Asks Governor to Reinstate 14-Day Interisland Quarantine
• COVID-19 Update: Low Level of Community Spread on Maui, School Assessment