The state Department of Health on Saturday reported a new single-day record case count of 73 with 68 cases on Oahu and five on Maui.
With the new cases, the state has now seen 1,620 people fall ill with the disease and 26 deaths since the end of February.
“Thursday’s, Friday’s, and today’s numbers demonstrate the relaxation of safe practices from the 4th of July, particularly on Oahu, may have been one primary reason for these daily new records. We’re beginning to see more cases among younger to middle-age adults; many who relay stories of attending gatherings, parties, events, or socializing at bars,” said Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson.
While the percent of positive coronavirus in the state seems to be stable, the curve is very gradually increasing because of the positivity rate in Honolulu, health officials said.
“This means the rate of new cases, particularly on Oahu, is greater than the rate of increased testing that is occurring,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said.
Through noon Saturday, Oahu has accounted for the majority of the cases at 1,291, followed by Maui County with 141 cases, Hawaii County with 117 and Kauai County with 43. Twenty-three residents have tested positive while out of the state.
Of the Hawaii residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, 1,148 of those cases have since recovered and been released from isolation. That includes 109 of the 117 cases on Hawaii Island.
Statewide, 161 patients have required hospitalization, including four on Hawaii Island.
Of the 26 deaths reported to date among Hawaii residents, 19 were on Oahu, six were on Maui and one was a Kauai resident receiving treatment in Arizona at the time he died.
“There are already calls for re-instituting restrictions and given this concerning trend. We are closely monitoring the situation, evaluating exposure risks, and currently in discussions on going back to previous restrictions on activities,” Anderson said.
Due to the approaching storm, the DOH State Laboratories Division will not be conducting COVID-19 testing today. Testing is expected to resume late Monday or on Tuesday.