Today the State has confirmed 97 new cases of COVID-19, according to Hawaii State Department of Health.  The state’s total is now 16,302.  The State DOH has confirmed 222 deaths.

O’ahu has added 85 deaths, Maui has 6 new, there are 3 new in Hawaii residents who are out of state, and Kaua’i has 1 new.  The islands of Lanai and Kaua’i have no new cases.  Lanai has been under a “stay at home” order for two weeks, which got lifted today.  It has been several days since the island had any new cases but Mayor Mike Victorino is urging residents to continue staying home unless they really need to go out, for now.

The Big Island added the second highest number of cases, at 15.  The island’s total is now 1,451, with 205 new cases in the past 14 days.  The State DOH no longer releases enough information to determine the actual number of active cases, but it is at least 205.

Earlier today, the State DOH released a report indicating that the Big Island has had at least 63 cases of COVID-19 spread via social gatherings on the island, and that the spread of the virus is not due to travelers, but is spreading among island residents.    Hawaii County Civil Defense says 12 people on the island are in the hospital with COVID-19.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim urges everybody to wear a mask.  He also has emphasized that the County-sponsored COVID-19 tests are free and available to everybody, and that you do not need symptoms to get tested.  He says it’s important for everyone to get tested to help control the spread of the virus.  More than 40% of people with COVID-19 have no symptoms, but can still spread the virus.  Click here for the next upcoming COVID-19 tests in Kona, Hilo, and Pahoa.

The State’s 3 p.m. update: