Hawaii’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases will continue to rise, officials say

Hawaii reported 243 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, the highest single-day total since January, and officials have warned that a highly contagious variant will keep the numbers on the rise.

Health officials noted that the cases have spread to all the islands and said the majority of infections have been in people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

“What we are seeing here is widespread community transmission statewide,” Brooks Baehr, spokesperson for the Department of Health, said at a press conference.

The state also reported three deaths on Thursday, including a fully vaccinated woman aged 60 to 69 who suffered from several underlying conditions, bringing the state’s total to 527.

A week of triple-digit cases in Hawaii has sparked growing concern over the spread of the Delta variant, which has been blamed for a nationwide increase.

“What we are seeing is a rapid and exponential increase and it shows no signs of decreasing. It continues to increase, ”said Janet Berreman, Kauai District Health Officer. “The fact that the Delta variant is so much more transmissible means that we should expect a rapid and continuous increase in the number of cases.”

The increase comes after state and county officials acted cautiously to ease COVID-19 restrictions, including allowing vaccinated travelers to travel to Hawaii without having to quarantine or take a COVID test -19 amid an influx of tourists.

Honolulu has also moved up to Level 5 in its pandemic reopening plan this month, allowing indoor social gatherings for up to 25 people and outdoor social gatherings for up to 75 people.

A previous version of this story incorrectly said that Honolulu was upgraded to level 4, not level 5.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he was concerned about the rise in cases, but defended the city’s decision to lift most restrictions on gatherings.

“We continue to make solid progress as a community in our fight against COVID,” Blangiardi told reporters separately. “At this point, vaccinations are key to easing restrictions and hopefully ending the tier system completely. We are in this fight together, and if you have not yet received your vaccine, I strongly urge you to do so as soon as possible. “

He said he did not plan to tighten regulations despite the increase in cases, citing the fact that more than 70% of eligible Oahu residents have been vaccinated.

“That’s almost three out of four people,” he said. “It’s a level of cooperation from the community to fight this disease that should truly be admired.”

Berreman said the sharp increase in cases statewide is due to both the Delta variant and “the increase in travel largely by residents going to the mainland and returning home.” .

The Delta variant was responsible for 55% of recent cases, said state labs division administrator Edward Desmond, adding that he expects the new strain to double every two weeks. until she was responsible for all of the Hawaii cases.

“Our last variant report showed that during the period ending July 3, 55% of the COVID-19 specimens collected were of the Delta variant,” Desmond said.

Baehr noted that Las Vegas, a popular destination for residents of Hawaii, has a COVID-19 positivity rate of 12.7%.

Hawaii’s positivity rate is 3.9%, an increase of 185% between July 7 and July 20, according to the state’s data page. Positivity rates are highest on the island of Hawaii at 5.3% and Oahu at 4.3%.

Health officials blamed community transmission for most cases, including a single group with 31 infections in an Oahu bar. Authorities also urged residents to get vaccinated.

Almost 60% of Hawaii’s population is fully vaccinated and 66% have received at least one dose, but the vaccination rate has slowed dramatically due to lack of interest, lack of access and other obstacles.

Sixty-six of the 243 cases reported Thursday involved children under the age of 18. Children under 12 still cannot be vaccinated.

Baehr said most recent cases have involved people who had not been vaccinated.

“These are the unvaccinated people who don’t wear masks inside, they are the unvaccinated people who are traveling,” Baehr said.

Baehr said more than 98% of people who died from the virus were not vaccinated. The woman’s death on Thursday was the second reported COVID-19 death of a vaccinated person in Hawaii.

“Unfortunately, we are finding that unvaccinated adults are still infecting children who are not eligible to be vaccinated. The vaccines are safe, they are extremely effective and the vaccines are free and you can get one near you, ”Baehr said.

“Get vaccinated. Wear masks when you are indoors. Stay home if you are not feeling well. Practice good hygiene, wash your hands frequently and if you have symptoms we encourage you to do so. get tested, ”he continued.

The state offers free testing at the Wahiawa Civic Center on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon, Baehr said.

Civil Beat reporter Lauren Teruya contributes to the reporting of this story.