Hawaii has recorded two more deaths and another 202 new cases of coronavirus today, according to lt. Gov. Josh Green and state officials.
The last two deaths were Oahu men 40-59 years old, at least one of whom had underlying health conditions, bringing the statewide death toll to 38.
On the Honolulu Star-Advertiser “Spotlight Hawaii” this morning, Green announced the 202 new cases and said that 66 people with COVID-19 are currently hospitalized. He said today’s new cases come as a result of 2,726 tests for a positive rate of 7.4%.
Health officials later confirmed the figure of the new case in a news release, saying of the 202 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19, 197 were on Oahu, while Hawaii Island and Kauai each had two, and Maui reported one.
They said there are multiple clusters of infections, including five at restaurants; “However, each involves a few employees at one location, and at present no transfer to customers has been identified. An employee potluck at Honolulu Hale is a potential source of transmission for 11 cases of disease among Honolulu city and county workers. ”
State Health Director Dr Bruce Anderson said in a news release, “The key factor to keep in mind is, through community-associated infections, those responsible for the flow in COVID-19 cases over the past week and a half. The virus is being spread by drops, and that’s why wearing masks and distance is so important. We all need to continue these and other safe practices. “The department is investigating these cases and working with these establishments on quarantine and prevention measures for its staff. is currently no risk to the public and no cases outside the workers.When more information becomes available, it will be shared.
Anderson extended condolences to the family and friends of four Oahu men whose dead and coronavirus-related deaths occurred Tuesday and today.
The deaths of two of the men, both over 60 years old, were reported Tuesday afternoon, but included in today’s counts. Investigations into all deaths are ongoing, officials said.
Thirty-one coronavirus-related deaths have been on Oahu, six on Maui, and one was a Kauai resident who died on the mainland.
In total, Hawaii’s coronavirus includes 3,558 across Oahu, 191 in Maui County, 202 on the island of Hawaii, and 51 in Kauai County, according to health officials. The total also includes 23 residents of Hawaii outside the state.
Of the 150,233 coronavirus tests performed so far by state and clinical laboratories in Hawaii since the onset of the outbreak, about 2.6% were positive.
RELATED STORY: Hawaii’s Increase in COVID-19 Infections Landed on New York’s Quarantine List
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This breaking news story will be updated.
