The Thursday morning Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard, updated at 8:26 a.m. HST, shows that worldwide, confirmed cases now stand at 2,113,226 .  The United States is reporting 641,166 cases.

The death toll attributed to COVID-19 worldwide is 140,371, with deaths in the United States attributed to COVID-19 at 30,920.

Officials warn that social distancing and isolation is still critical. But around the world, some municipalities are beginning to ease restrictions.

President Donald Trump plans to release a blueprint for reopening economies nationwide today.  He has said he realizes that different states and regions may have different timelines.  He’s been eager to get the country’s economic engine back in gear, as are almost all municipalities, but there is concern about continued spread of the virus.

Governors in several states are working together to discuss how and when to ease their adjoining states into a more normal way of life. California, Oregon, and Washington are working together, as are New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

COVID-19 continues to be an issue for getting people out in public.  New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has just extended his statewide “stay at home” order until May 15.

Hawaii has relatively few cases–530–compared to other places, but State Department of Health officials and Lt. Governor Dr. Josh Green say the key to keep the State’s count low is continuing social distancing, staying at home, and wearing masks in public.

State Health officials say O’ahu’s count stands at 369 (271 released from isolation), Maui County has 90 (42 released from isolation), Hawaii Island has 41 (30 released from isolation), and Kaua’i has 21 (16 released from isolation).

In Hawaii, Governor David Ige’s “stay at home” order currently goes through April 30, but it’s possible it could be extended.  He has urged everybody to wear masks in public places where others could be present.