Hawaii County Civil Defense issued a late afternoon message saying  Governor David Ige  has approved a new set of restrictions for the Big Island.  Group social gatherings are now limited to 10 people, whether indoors or outdoors.   At all gatherings, people must sit six feet apart.  The afternoon Civil Defense message says family groups are exempt.

Late Thursday, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim put out a release saying he had asked the Governor to approve the limitation of social gatherings to 10, sports  practices to 25 people, and competitive play to 50 people.  The Civil Defense message made no mention of additional restrictions.

Today’s State Department of Health update says the number of total cases on the Big Island is 177, and the number of active cases is 41.  Most of the cases are in people who reside in Hilo.   That does not mean they were exposed to the virus in their home; it could be anywhere they were if they were not staying six feet away from others and not wearing a mask.  The Civil Defense message says the situation in Hilo is serious, but in practical terms, everybody on the Big Island needs to follow the now well-known COVID-19 precautions.

Some Hilo businesses have closed temporarily for deep cleaning.

Hilo Medical Center confirmed today just before noon that the facility had 7 people in the hospital with COVID-19, several of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit.  At 5 p.m., the hospital spokesperson confirmed they now have 8 people in the hospital with COVID-19.  The hospital has a number of COVID-19 precautions in place.   Kona Community Hospital spokesperson said it had no COVID-19 patients as of noon, and North Hawaii Community Hospital spokesperson said the hospital would not comment.