The state added 9 new cases of COVID-19 to its count today, the largest increase in more than a month.  However, State Department of Health says 4 of these are old cases never added to the count (2 on O’ahu, 1 on Maui, 1 on Kaua’i).  The state also removed one case from O’ahu.

The 5 new active cases are on O’ahu.  The State has provided no additional information yet as to whether the new active cases are part of a cluster.  Fairly recently the State Department of Health said it was looking at a cluster at a housing development in Kalihi, but there’s been no new update.  The State’s COVID-19 Joint Information Center says the cases are under investigation.

The state’s death toll still stands at 17.

Hawaii County has no active cases, with a cumulative count of 81.   Mayor Harry Kim said a low case count is a key to reopening businesses on the island.  Health professionals note it’s critical for anybody who believes they have COVID-19 or has been exposed to those with COVID-19, or are in jobs with a lot of exposure to people should consider getting tested.  Anybody who believes they should get tested should do so.  The COVID-19 tests are free, courtesy of the Federal CARES Act.  Recently New West Broadcasting’s Sherry Bracken talked with Anne Broderson, an Advanced Practice Nurse at Ali’i Health and Ali’i Health Executive Director Clayton McGhan about new flexibility in determining who needs tests, for all testers on the Big Island.  Click here for that interview.

Cumulative totals as of 12:00 noon on June 5, 2020

Statewide

COVID-19 Positive* Cases

*Positive cases include presumptive and confirmed cases, and Hawaii residents and non-residents; 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). (The cases that have died and one case that has left the jurisdiction have been removed from these counts).

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

^††As a result of correcting discrepancies in laboratory reporting, 4 older cases were added (2 on Honolulu, 1 on Maui, and 1 on Kauai), and 1 case was removed (Honolulu) from the counts.