Two coronavirus-related deaths and 201 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Friday by Hawaii health officials.
All but one of the 201 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases was from Oahu; Maui has a single new case, according to the Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center. The state’s total case count now stands at 3,115 since Feb. 28.
Oahu has reported the majority of the cases to date at 2,741 cases while Maui County has recorded 181 cases, Hawaii County 123 and Kauai County 47. Twenty-three residents have tested positive while out of the state.
“Unfortunately, projections for increases in COVID case and ICU bed utilization are being realized,” Health Director Bruce Anderson said.
Many of the Intensive Care Units on Oahu are full or close to full and hospitals are surging, transferring patients, and opening new units to handle new patients, according to a press release from the center. ICU bed use on the neighbor islands has not changed significantly to date.
“Given the incubation period of COVID can be as long as 14 days, we are seeing the result of exposures a week or two ago and it will probably be at least a couple of weeks before we can expect to see the benefit of the restrictions on these activities and events on Oahu,” said Anderson. “We all need to act now. Avoid crowded places, closed spaces and close contact. Your life and the lives of your loved ones and friends will depend on it.”
The 14-day mandatory quarantine for interisland travel goes back into effect on Tuesday following an announcement Thursday by Gov. David Ige. The 14-day mandatory quarantine for trans-Pacific travel remains in effect through Sept. 1.
Both fatalities announced Friday were men from Oahu. One was older than 60 and had been in the hospital. He died on Aug. 4 and had been exposed to a positive household member, according to the center.
The second man died Wednesday and was in the 40- to 59-year-old age group. His death was reported by the Honolulu Medical Examiner because he died at home, unattended. His family reported he had symptoms but did not seek medical care.
Both men are said to have had underlying medical conditions and the health investigations into their deaths continues.
“We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the latest victims of this terrible disease. Their passing’s are a stark reminder of the realities today,” Anderson said. “Unfortunately, we are going to see more and more casualties as the surge of cases over the last few weeks continues and, sadly, more and more families and neighborhoods will experience the loss of loved ones.”
Of the 31 deaths reported among Hawaii residents, 24 were on Oahu, six were on Maui and one was a Kauai resident receiving treatment in Arizona at the time he died.
