#omicron

Eight cases of the omicron mutation have shown up in Hawai’i, and they are believed to be on O’ahu — although location confirmation will be a couple weeks out, according to state Department of Health Laboratories Division Administrator Dr. Edward Desmond.

The latest data represents a total of 5,634 “active” cases statewide over two weeks. Maui County’s seven day average of cases peaked at 57.6 per 100,000 on Aug. 25, and has been on a steady decline since the beginning of September. Today’s seven day average on Maui ticked up to 18.1 cases per 100,000.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has detected additional COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant bringing the statewide total of Omicron cases to 50. Forty-nine of the 50 cases are on O‘ahu. The source and location of the remaining case is still being investigated, but health officials say it is reasonable to believe Omicron may be present on the neighbor islands.

“I think there’s a real sense of fatigue out there in the public that people feel done with it, but unfortunately, the virus is not done with us,” said Dr. Sarah Kemble.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced today that Maui County will allow restaurants and bars to return to full, 100% capacity without physical distancing requirements as of Wed. Dec. 1, 2021.

“Effective immediately, all adults age 18 and older who completed their primary mRNA vaccinations of Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago should receive a single COVID-19 booster dose,” the DOH advised today.

We have not seen the Omicron variant here in Hawaiʻi as of this morning, but we are closely monitoring the situation and will identify the variant as early as possible should it show up here.”

The immunization registry is a statewide information system that stores and tracks patient immunization records for 25 diseases including vaccinations for polio, tetanus, measles, mumps and now COVID-19.