HONOLULU — Lt. Gov. Josh Green said Friday the state is moving into “Phase 2” of its effort against the coronavirus now that it has successfully reduced the rate of new infections and “flattened the curve.”
Green said in a video posted on social media that low-risk activities like elective medical procedures are resuming and officials in the next few weeks will consider authorizing medium-risk activities.
“Can our gyms open? Can restaurants that do social distancing open? That’s what we’re working on,” Green said.
The next step after these activities would be “higher risk stuff” like large gatherings of people and bars, he said.
On Friday, Hawaii reported one new case of COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 619. The new case was on Oahu, which has had 400 cases.
The numbers for Hawaii County (73), Maui County (116) and Kauai County (21) remained unchanged Friday, according to the Department of Health.
There were no new deaths reported Friday by the DOH. The statewide death toll remains 16.
So far, 72 cases statewide have required hospitalization, and 532 individuals have been released from isolation.
Nationwide, there were nearly 1.1 million confirmed cases as of noon Friday, and 64,577 deaths.
Gov. David Ige has extended the state’s stay-at-home order through May 31. A 14-day quarantine for travelers arriving in the state also remains in effect.