The Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard for Friday October 23, at 5:24 a.m.:

Worldwide cases: 41,866,558   Worldwide deaths:  1,139,296

U.S. cases: 8,424,583   U.S. deaths:  223,226

According to the Dashboard, the reported worldwide case report increased by 493,628 in the last 24 hours.  Deaths worldwide increased by 5,940.

According to the Johns Hopkins Dashboard, the United States has added 76,601 cases in the last 24 hours.  In that time,  the number of reported deaths from  COVID-19 increased by 902.

Cases in the US are increasing at the highest daily rate since August.  But death rates are declining.  According to NYU’s Langone School of Medicine, there are several factors:  more younger people, less likely to die, are getting infected, plus physicians and hospitals have learned more about the virus and have modified treatment methods as more has been learned.  In New York the death rate in those hospitalized for the coronavirus dropped from 27% to 3%.

National health experts continue to remind everybody that wearing a mask in public is the best defense against COVID-19, along with distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and hand washing.  But vaccine progress appears promising.  On Thursday, the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee met (virtually) to discuss safety and distribution issues.  And also on Thursday, the State of Hawaii released its preliminary plans for the priority populations for vaccine distribution.  At a national level, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said he believes the general public should be able to be vaccinated by Spring, 2021, and it’s possible a vaccine may be available by the end of this year.

In Hawaii, the State Department of Health reports the state’s total count is now 14,335, with around 2,897 active cases.

The island of Lana’i, which had been COVID-free until Tuesday, now has 38 cases.  Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino has announced mass testing for tomorrow, and is urging residents to isolate at home.

The state is counting 206 deaths.   Hawaii County has 1,120 COVID-19 cases, with 263 active cases.  On Thursday, the island added 29 new cases.   Kailua-Kona added 108 cases in the past 14 days, followed by Hilo with 64, Ocean View with 19, and Waikoloa/Puako with 14.