(BIVN) – This week, 8,924 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the state of Hawaii, up from the 7,149 reported last week. Of that number, 1,102 new cases were identified on the island of Hawaii, up from the 850 cases reported the week before.
There have been 1,801 active cases on the island of Hawaii over the past two weeks, according to health officials. The 14-day average of new cases identified per day on the Big Island has risen to 133, and the average test positivity rate for the same period is up to 16.2%.
On the Department of Health and Human Services zip code area map showing reported COVID-19 cases beginning in the last 14 days, there are now twenty-one (21) zip code areas in the Big Island showing over 11 cases. In the postcode areas not listed below, 10 cases or fewer were recorded in 14 days.
- 96720 (Hilo) – 640 crates
- 96749 (Keaʻau) – 203 cases
- 96760 (Kurtistown) – 23 cases
- 96771 (Puna mauka) – 63 cases
- 96778 (Puna Makai) – 134 cases
- 96785 (Volcano) – 27 crates
- 96777 (Pāhāla) – 16 cases
- 96737 (Ocean View) – 12 crates
- 96704* (South Kona) – 34 cases
- 96750 (Kealakekua) – 57 cases
- 96725 (Holualoa) – 22 cases
- 96740 (Kona) – 275 crates
- 96738 (Waikoloa) – 53 cases
- 96743 (Kohala/Waimea) – 65 cases
- 96719 (Hawi) – 11 boxes
- 98755 (Kapa’au) – 31 cases
- 96727 (Hāmākua) – 26 cases
- 96776 (Pa’auilo) – 12 boxes
- 96773* (Hakalau) – 18 cases
- 96783 (Pepeʻekeo) – 16 cases
- 96781 (Papaikou) – 14 boxes
* The 96773 zip code area includes the 96710, 96774, 96728, 96764, and 96780 zip code areas. The 96704 zip code area includes the 96726 zip code areas.
The state of Hawaii says a total of 2,964,280 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. According to health officials, 77.6% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated. 84.7% of the population have started vaccination and 40% have received a booster or third dose.
Mayor calls for “careful masking”
From the County of Hawaii:
Mayor Mitch Roth is urging residents to adopt “mindful masking” strategies as the number of cases of COVID-19 on the island continues to rise. Mindful Masking strongly encourages the use of masks in large gatherings, grocery stores, indoor meeting places, on board public transport, and in bars and restaurants when not actively eating and drinking. There is currently no mandate requiring the use of masks on the island of Hawaii, although private property and business owners are entitled to make their own rules regarding COVID precautions and regulations.
The mindful masking proposal comes as Hawaiʻi County reported over 1,400 new cases over a 14-day period. The state reported nearly 12,000 new cases during the same period.
“We’re just asking our residents to continue to be mindful of each other,” Mayor Mitch Roth said. “Although we have transitioned to a time where we are learning to live with the virus, it still poses a major threat and there are many people with health conditions that make the virus a serious risk to their well-being. We don’t want to go back to a period of mandates to help control the spread. We’ve been there, done that, and we know what’s working at this point in the game. That is why we are calling again on our community to protect each other and get us through the current surge – safely.”
Hospitalizations due to COVID on the island of Hawaii remain manageable with a daily high of 16 hospitalizations over the past month compared to a daily high of 69 during the delta peak. The island’s intensive care units have limited capacity but are not overwhelmed with COVID patients. In addition, 13 out of 50 ventilators are in use, one of them on a COVID patient.
Residents are reminded to test themselves anytime they are a known contact, are returning from a trip, or have symptoms related to COVID-19. For free test kits, go to: special.usps.com/testkits. In addition, test sites are still available on this island. Please visit hawaiicounty.gov for more information.
Governor continues emergency relief over food insecurity
From the state of Hawaii:
Gov. David Ige signed a second emergency declaration to allow the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) services to continue in line with the federal COVID emergency.
Administered by the US Department of Agriculture, SNAP is the country’s largest food assistance program. It benefits eligible individuals and low-income families through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which can be used to purchase eligible groceries at authorized retail locations.
“Many Hawaiian families remain food insecure as they struggle to provide food for themselves and their families due to the impact of the pandemic. Added to this is the ongoing increase in the cost of living,” said Governor Ige. “Without additional support from SNAP, families may not be able to adequately support their families. This food insecurity poses a threat to the health, safety and well-being of our communities and constitutes this declaration of emergency.”
Disaster relief will last until July 22, 2022.
