The relentless increase of COVID-19 cases in Hawaii continues.  Today, State Department of Health has announced there are 29 new cases in the state.  The state’s cumulative count is 1,292 with 951 released from isolation and monitoring by the State Department of Health.  Although this is low in comparison with the mainland U.S., the state has been seeing double digit increases for many days.

The Big Island has 2 newly-confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the State DOH says 11 of them are active.  One more hospitalization is shown for the island, so a total of four people have needed hospitalization with likely two still in the hospital.    The Big Island’s cumulative case count is 107.

Other new cases:  27 new reported on O’ahu, but because of updated information, its case count–986 cumulative with 694 released from isolation–has been increased by only 26. Neither Maui County nor Kaua’i had any new cases.

Ka’u Hospital has confirmed that a healthcare worker there tested positive for COVID-19 last week, and that patients and employees in contact with that worker are being notified and tested as needed.   Kona Community Hospital has confirmed a total of three cases in the hospital.  At least one is an employee in the Emergency Department and one is an employee in another department.    Kona Community Hospital will test all patients in the hospital, starting tomorrow.  Hawaii County Civil Defense announced that tomorrow, Premier Medical Group, under the direction of Dr. Scott Miscovich, will begin testing all hospital employees.

Additionally, Kona Community Hospital and State Health are in the process of calling people who may have been in the Emergency Department or elsewhere with potential contact with those who have tested positive for COVID-19.  At least one community member confirmed she has tested positive, although she is asymptomatic.   The County and Premier Medical Group will do a community testing Saturday, with the place to be announced.  There will be no charge, and those needing testing are asked to bring insurance information, but they will test at no charge no matter what.

In the meantime, those who were notified of possible exposure may get tested by Ali’i Health at Keauhou Shopping Center on Friday from 9 a.m. until noon, in a drive-through, no advance appointment needed screening and testing.   Aloha Kona Urgent Care will test during their normal hours, today, Thursday, and Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m., or next Monday and Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.   Both Ali’i Health and Aloha Kona Urgent Care ask that you bring insurance information if you have it, but will test patients at no charge if not.   For Aloha Kona Urgent Care, if you need COVID-19 testing, they ask you to call once you arrive, to  (808) 365-2297.

Ali’i Health, Aloha Kona Urgent Care, and Premier Medical Group all do the deep nasal swab PCR testing, the most reliable available.   For all testings, it’s a good idea to bring your own pen to avoid any spread of COVID-19, and please always wear a mask.

The glimmer of good news is that there have been no new deaths from COVID-19 above the 22 already announced.

The State DOH’s island-by-island breakdown: