Weekend ‘bump’ in COVID-19 cases

With the weekend came triple-digit COVID-19 case counts.

Statewide, there were 114 new and probable cases Saturday and another 102 on Sunday, according to the Department of Health.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reported 20 new cases Saturday on the Big Island, and 12 new cases on Sunday.

“Over the weekend, we saw a bump up in cases again,” Gov. David Ige said during a livestream Monday. “Over 100 new cases a day over the last weekend, which looks like it’s probably the result of the Fourth of July weekend. I do anticipate we’ll be seeing higher case counts over the next few days.”

Statewide, 63 new cases were reported on Monday, 15 of which were on Hawaii Island.

Hilo Medical Center also has seen an uptick in COVID-related hospitalizations.

“Last Thursday, our hospitalizations stood at four,” HMC spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said. “Then Monday, just days later, we’re up to eight.”

Two individuals are in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

According to Cabatu, one individual who was hospitalized had been fully vaccinated.

The state Department of Health has confirmed the death of a fully vaccinated Oahu man, older than 80, who had multiple underlying health conditions.

DOH spokesman Brooks Baehr said the DOH reported his death several weeks ago but learned the man had been vaccinated while conducting a follow-up investigation.

According to Baehr, there have been more than 100 deaths since the first people in Hawaii were fully vaccinated in mid-January. More than 99% have been unvaccinated people.

Additionally, about 98% of individuals hospitalized recently have been unvaccinated, he said.

The state Department of Public Safety on Monday also reported eight active, positive COVID-19 cases in inmates at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

DPS had announced earlier this month that all inmates were free of COVID.

A total of 253 inmates and 24 staff members have tested positive since an outbreak began in the Hilo jail in late May.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald