A pedestrian wearing a protective mask passes in front of a low-rise storefront graffiti display showing “Unmask Maui” in Paia, Maui County, Hawaii, USA, last Saturday, August 1, 2020.
Mia Shimabuku | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Hawaii Gov. David Ige will reintroduce restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus as cases continue to climb in the state and state health officials predict more deaths and hospitalizations in the coming weeks.
“There is no question that the virus is growing in our state, and I know there are many concerns about its health,” Ige said in a press release Thursday. “When we reopened our community, people left people waiting. It has been very disappointing.”
As of Thursday, cases in Hawaii had grown by more than 85% in the previous week, reaching a record high of about 132 new cases per day based on a moving average of seven days, according to a CNBC analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The nearly 3,000 total cases in Hawaii are relatively low compared to other states, but Ige said the recent surge poses a threat to the state’s hospital system.
“We are also seeing an increase in hospital set-ups, and from the outset we have all stated that our capacity for health care is an important indicator that we need to monitor to ensure that the number of Covid-19 cases does not overwhelm our hospitals and our healthcare system. , “said Ige.
Of the 117 total Covid-19 hospitals in Hawaii, 115 were on Oahu, home of Honolulu, said Bruce Anderson, director of the state Department of Health. More than half of the beds for intensive care units on the island are full, he said.
“Currently, it is projected that our intensive care units in the hospitals on Oahu will be completed and completed by the end of this month,” Anderson said. “There will be more deaths and more hospitalizations in the weeks to come because of meetings and other public service activities.”
Ige said the state will resume its restricted travel to the island starting Tuesday on Tuesday, ordering travelers arriving in Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and Kalawao counties to be quarantined for 14 days. The quarantine between the island, which was lifted on June 16, will continue through the end of August, unless it is terminated or extended by a separate proclamation, according to the order.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the nearly 300 city and provincial parks on the island of Oahu will close from Friday to September 5, including the beaches. He said no activities will be allowed on the beach or in the parks, although residents can still walk on them to surf, swim, fish and other activities.
“I know many of you will be disappointed to hear this news – traveling between islands was an important way for families to stay in touch – but I wish this was not necessary, but the health and safety of our community remains ours. highest priority, “said Ige. “I hate it when I see people not wearing masks, gathering in public places by the beach or in parks, or partying without taking into account the health and safety of our community.”
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