The Delta variant now accounts for nearly all COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, according to a new variant report issued by the state Department of Health.
The highly transmissible strain of the novel coronavirus, which is driving the COVID-19 surge in Hawaii, was first identified in Hawaii May 18.
The DOH on Thursday reported 1,068 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, including 169 on the Big Island.
Thursday’s case count includes cases not reported Wednesday because of an interruption in the electronic laboratory reporting system Monday, a DOH spokesman said.
Four deaths also were reported Thursday.
A Big Island man, 60-69; a Maui man, 30-39, an Oahu woman, 50-59; and an Oahu man 70-79 were hospitalized and had underlying health conditions when they died.
Hawaii County has an 8.7% test positivity rate, compared to a 7.7% positivity rate statewide.
According to data from the DOH, 503 cases have been reported in Hilo, and 449 in Kailua-Kona in the past 14 days.
During that same time period, 75 infections have been identified in Honokaa; 106 in Waimea; 58 in the Waikoloa Village and Puako areas; 62 in Kealakekua; 86 in the Captain Cook, Ocean View and Honaunau areas; 86 in Pahoa; 55 in Mountain View and 157 in Keaau.
Community testing is available today from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Kona Community Aquatic Center in Kailua-Kona; and 1-5 p.m. at the Honaunau Rodeo Arena in Captain Cook.
More testing opportunities can be found online at bit.ly/HawaiiCOVIDtesting.
Vaccination rates
Statewide, 63.6% of the population has been fully vaccinated, and 71.9% have received at least one dose.
In Hawaii County 60% of residents have been fully vaccinated, while 72% have received at least one shot.
More than 70.1% of residents in Hilo, Papaikou, Pepeekeo, Honokaa and Hawi have been fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, 60.1%-70% of residents in Hakalau, Honomu, Laupahoehoe, Ninole, Ookala, Papaaloa, Waikoloa, Holualoa and Kealakekua have completed vaccinations.
Elsewhere on the Big Island, 45.1%-60% of residents in Kailua-Kona, Keauhou, Waimea, Kurtistown and Keaau, and 35.1%-45% of residents in Paauilo, Captain Cook, Honaunau, Naalehu, Pahala, Volcano and Pahoa have been fully vaccinated.
Fewer than 35% of residents in Mountain View and Ocean View have completed their vaccinations.
A partial list of vaccination sites can be found online at bit.ly/BigIslandvaccines.
A free COVID-19 vaccine and testing clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Robert Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pahala.
Ka‘u Rural Health Clinic will be administering vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer.
Call 932-4205 by 5 p.m. Sept. 8 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins and uninsured also are welcome.
Those seeking a coronavirus test, provided by Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital, should bring identification and any insurance cards.
