The Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard for Wednesday, October 7, at 5:23 a.m.:

Worldwide cases:  35,906,341    Worldwide deaths: 1,051,446

U.S. cases: 7,506,743   U.S. deaths:  211,108

According to the Dashboard, the reported worldwide case report increased by 347,315 in the last 24 hours.  Deaths worldwide increased by 6,056.

According to the Johns Hopkins Dashboard, the United States has added 42,371 cases in the last 24 hours.  In that time,  the number of reported deaths from  COVID-19 increased by 795.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the state has announced there are 12,937 cases of COVID-19, with around 2,248 active cases.

The State is reporting 160 deaths, but that only includes 15 of the Big Island’s 32 deaths.

The Big Island has 820 total cases, with 149 active cases.  Many of the recent cases have been at Life Care Center of Hilo, and at University of the Nations in Kona.  U of Nations has 34 recently-diagnosed cases, 4 new announced on Tuesday afternoon.  The County, Department of Health, and Premier Medical Group tested 492 people at the institution on Tuesday.  Most of the cases were spread while here on the island, although around 300 members of the University flew into the island from out of state around the end of September.

The State Department of Health says in the last 28 days, there have been 105 new cases in Hilo (zip 96720) and 95 new cases in Kona (zip 96740).

Although the island has had increases in cases, island businesses are eager to see tourists come back beginning Oct. 15 via Gov. David Ige’s plan to require pre-travel testing within 72 hours of passenger arrival here.  But Tuesday morning, the Star Advertiser reported  that Mayor Harry Kim planned to “opt out” of the State’s pre-travel test program, and still require people to quarantine for 14 days when they come to the island unless they can take a second COVID-19 test when they arrive on the island.  Both the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce and the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce received numerous calls Tuesday from concerned and confused businesses and potential visitors.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the Mayor’s office issued a press release confirming that he wants incoming travelers to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival, with no detail on where the tests will be administered, by whom, the cost, where and how they will be processed, and other details.

This morning’s Hawaii Tribune-Herald says Kim may also want a third test.