Hawaii has added 3 cases of COVID-19, according to the State Department of Health as of noon on Thursday, March 7, raising the cumulative case count to 629.  But 565 have been released from isolation, so the state is aware of 64 cases statewide which are being monitored by State DOH.  Hawaii County’s case count stands at 74, and State DOH says 67 of those have been released from isolation, so the island has 7 active cases.

O’ahu has 408 total cases, with 384 released from isolation so 24 active cases.  Maui County’s islands have 23 active cases–116 overall with 93 released from isolation.  Kaua’i has had 21 cases and none are active.

The state has had 17 deaths.  Governor David Ige and Lt. Governor Josh Green, M.D. noted on Wednesday that nearly 90% of those who’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the state have recovered.  The State’s per capita rate of COVID-19 is second lowest in the nation (after Montana).   The Governor has issued a “Safer at Home” order, urging people to stay at home where they are safest, but allowing some businesses to begin reopening.

On Wednesday, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim issued a similar order in his Emergency Rule No. 4, allowing some  businesses to immediately reopen (with sanitation and distancing procedures in place), opening up some parks for exercise, and allowing Hilo Municipal Golf Course to resume operations on Monday.

State Department of Land and Natural Resources is also reopening some state parks here on the island.  And vehicle safety checks may resume on May 15.

Of the 35,216 coronavirus tests conducted by state and clinical laboratories so far in Hawaii, just 1.7% have been positive.

Hawaii State government and health officials say that continued physical distancing and mask wearing is critical to avoid a surge of COVID-19 cases, since there is community spread within the state.  Lt. Gov. Dr. Josh Green added on Wednesday that should a surge happen, our hospitals are well-prepared, with currently only 51% of our state’s hospital beds occupied, and only 46% of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds occupied.

 

Cumulative totals as of 12:00 noon on May 7, 2020

Statewide

COVID-19 Positive* Cases

*Includes presumptive and confirmed cases, data are preliminary and subject to change; note that CDC provides case counts according to states of residence.

^†Includes cases that meet isolation release criteria (Isolation should be maintained until at least 3 days (72 hours) after resolution of fever and myalgia without the use of antipyretics OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset, whichever is longer.), have died, or have left the jurisdiction.

^‡One case is a Lanai resident whose exposure is on Maui Island and who will be remaining on Maui Island for the interim.