DOH: State reports 461 new COVID-19 cases, including 82 on the Big Island

Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital Patient Relations Advocate Michelle Aikau, left, collects a swab at the free COVID testing and vaccination clinic Sept. 2 at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
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The Big Island Monday reported 82 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the island’s tally to 8,981 since late February 2020.

Hawaii health officials reported a total of 461 new cases of COVID-19 bringing Hawaii’s case total to 72,352.

According to the DOH, 9,051 new cases have been reported in Hawaii in the past 14 days, including 1,432 on the Big Island. There has been an average of 567.1 new cases the past seven days statewide with the Big Island averaging 93.9 cases per day.

Hawaii County Monday had a seven-day test positivity rate of 7.3%, above the state’s 6.9% positivity rate.

The island’s two most populous areas, Kailua-Kona and Hilo, have reported the most cases during the past 14 days at 370 and 327 cases, respectively. Elsewhere in West Hawaii, Waimea has reported 91 cases, Waikoloa 27, Captain Cook/Honaunau 58 and Kealakekua 62.

On Monday, 58 people with COVID-19 were remained hospitalized on the Big Island, an increase of 11 from Thursday. All of the island’s 24 ICU beds were in use with five overflow ICU beds also in use. Ten of the beds occupied by COVID-positive patients. Six of those 10 COVID patients were on ventilators.

Kona Community Hospital said Monday it was treating 10 COVID-positive patients with three in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). One COVID-positive patient required the use of a ventilator Monday.

“Inpatient numbers have trended down for almost a week. The overall average length of stay per patient is 9.1 days. Although the current situation with oxygen has improved, we will continue conservation measures until the state-wide situation stabilizes,” the hospital said in its Monday update.

No new coronavirus-related deaths were reported Monday. Of the 660 deaths confirmed and reported by the state to date, 503 were on Oahu, 80 were in Maui County, 66 were on the Big Island and six on Kauai. Five deaths were among residents outside the state.

Also Monday, the state reported 62% of the Big Island’s entire population, which includes children younger than age 12, were fully vaccinated. Just counting the eligible population (those age 12 and older), 73% of residents are fully inoculated.

Several areas, including Hilo, Pepeekeo, Papaikou, Honokaa and Hawi, have at least 70.1% of the eligible population vaccinated. The urban Kailua-Kona area is reporting vaccination of 45.1% to 60% of the eligible population. Ocean View has the lowest rate of vaccination with 35% of less of the population inoculated to date.

Need a test?

Hawaii County’s Community Testing and Vaccination Program has scheduled clinics at the following times and sites:

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Kona Community Aquatic Center on Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona. Testing provided by KTA.

• 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cooper Center in Volcano. Testing provided by Premier Medical Group.

• 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. Testing provided by S&G Labs.

• 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Honaunau Rodeo Arena in Captain Cook. Testing provided by Premier Medical Group.

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. Testing provided by KTA.

• Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Pahala Community Center in Pahala. Testing provided by Basis Diagnostics.

• 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at the Kona Community Aquatic Center on Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona. Testing provided by S&G Labs.

• 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Pahoa District Park in Puna. Testing provided by Basis Diagnostics.

Want to get vaccinated?

A host of County of Hawaii-supported vaccination sites are also planned this week on the Big Island:

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Kona Community Aquatic Center on Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona. KTA is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson &Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cooper Center in Volcano. Premier Medical Group is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson &Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Honaunau Rodeo Arena in Captain Cook. Premier Medical Group is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson &Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Keaau Middle School in Keaau. Bay Clinic is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson &Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. KTA is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hamakua Health Center in Honokaa. Hamakua Kohala Health is providing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Patel’s in Captain Cook. Premier Medical Group is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 1 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Fujihara Store in Captain Cook. Premier Medical Group is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Hamakua Health Center in Honokaa. Hamakua Kohala Health is providing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 2 to 4:30 p.m. Friday at Hamakua-Kohala Health in Kapaau. Hamakua Kohala Health is providing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. No pre-registration required.

• 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School in Laupahoehoe. Bay Clinic is providing Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. No pre-registration required.