CAUTION URGED AS NEW SURGE HITS HAWAI‘I
News Release from Hawaii DoH, Dec 17, 2021
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is urging everyone to please exercise caution and celebrate the holidays safely as COVID-19 is surging.
The 797 new COVID-19 cases reported today represent the highest case count in more than three months.
The 7-day new case average increased from 101 ten days ago to 297 today. The positivity rate jumped from 1.4% ten days ago to 4.2% today.
“These numbers reflect a disturbing trend. The Delta variant, the Omicron variant, large gatherings, increased travel and holiday get-togethers appear to be fueling the surge,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP.
To date, 31 confirmed cases involving the Omicron variant have been identified in Hawai‘i. While all 31 cases of Omicron detected thus far are on O‘ahu, it is reasonable to believe Omicron has also reached the neighbor islands.
“We are continuing the research to understand what we’re dealing with, and our best researchers and medical experts are working on this. The mayors and I are discussing what type of protocols might be required going forward. The bottom line is this: Your life matters. Our mission is to stop the spread. It will take all of us to do that,” said Governor David Ige.
“The presence of the Omicron variant makes getting vaccinated just as important today as ever. Booster shots are increasingly important. If you are eligible for a booster, please get boosted now. Please wear your mask when indoors and avoid large crowds. These are proven ways to stay safe,” Char said.
People at least 18 years old who completed their initial series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago should a booster now.
People ages 16 and 17 who completed their initial series of Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago can get a booster.
Those who received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago should get a booster now.
Information on where vaccines are available can be found at https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine-info/.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR NEWS RELEASE: HAWAIʻI NATIONAL GUARD JOINT TASK FORCE TO BE REESTABLISHED AS COVID-19 CASES INCREASE
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Star-Adv Dec 17, 2021: Ige said there were no backlog cases in the 797 infections reported today. The 7-day average stands at 297 cases a day with a positiviy rate of 4.2%, up from 1.4% just 10 days ago.
Char said the latest surge is a mix of delta and omicron variant cases. The latest data shows 2% of Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases are omicron as of Dec. 4, with 31 total cases reported as of Thursday night. Another 17 suspected omicron cases are currently undergoing whole-genome sequencing. All confirmed and suspected omicron cases are on Oahu ....
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Hawaii records 3 new coronavirus-related deaths, 707 additional infections
SA Dec 18, 2021: … Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 622 new cases on Oahu, 22 on Hawaii island, 32 on Maui, 22 on Kauai, and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state.
State health officials have been including probable infections in its total case counts. Probable infections include people who never received a confirmatory test but are believed to have had the virus because of their known exposure and symptoms or because of a positive antigen test….
Health officials also said today that, of the state’s total infection count, 3,417 cases were considered to be active. Officials say they consider infections reported in the past 14 days to be a “proxy number for active cases.” The state’s total number of active cases increased today by 575 ….
read … Hawaii records 3 new coronavirus-related deaths, 707 additional infections
SA Dec 19, 2021: Hawaii records 2 new coronavirus-related deaths, 972 additional infections
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