Hawaii is struggling with the highest rate of coronavirus transmission in the nation, new data shows.
COVID-19 cases spread across the tropical state at a rate of 1.6, meaning that every person who gets sick on average infects on average one other person, Hawaii News Now reports.
“That’s very, very high,” Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell told the outlet.
Meanwhile, the next-worst states are South Dakota, at 1.2, and Texas, which is at 1.16.
“It’s just a shining example of how serious we are about this,” said Dr. Scott Miscovich, who oversees mass testing events in the state. “We need to wear masks, we need social distance.”
He urged the Hawaiians to spend more time outside to help stop the transmission of the virus.
“We spread it in closed respiratory environments. Go outside. It’s very serious, “he said.
More than 3,600 Hawaiians have become ill with the virus despite strict 14-day quarantines for all visitors and returning residents, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
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