Big Island reports 131 new COVID cases, 1 additional coronavirus-related death

Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital Patient Relations Advocate Michelle Aikau, left, collects a swab at the free COVID testing and vaccination clinic Thursday at the Kona Aquatics Center. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)

The Big Island’s COVID-19 case tally neared 8,000 Friday with 131 new coronavirus cases reported on the state’s southernmost island.