UPDATED 11:25 a.m.
There were 207 new cases of COVID-19 reported by the state Department of Health today.
That’s the highest single-day total of new positive cases in Hawaii since the start of the pandemic.
Of the 207 new cases, 198 are on Oahu, seven on Maui and two on Hawaii Island.
The DOH said delayed lab results contributed to the spike, but lack of safe practices is a major factor.
“It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to detail all of the situations in which people are becoming infected with coronavirus,” state Health Director Bruce Anderson said. “It runs the whole gamut of hanging out with close friends, socializing in bars, attending religious events and funerals, and many other types other social gatherings. This virus does not discriminate on who it infects and the only way to prevent its spread is to limit exposure to others by using face coverings, physical distancing and avoiding gatherings and crowded places.
“Unfortunately, Hawaii is experiencing spikes in cases similar to many mainland states, and in most cases, we can track new infections back to those who have let down their guard. Everyone needs to take this very seriously.”
The DOH said many beaches on Oahu were as crowded as they were before the COVID outbreak.
On Maui, Little Beach in Makena State Park was less crowded than normal. This was likely the result of social media postings that suggested law enforcement would be on scene to break up so-called drum circles.
Health investigations have traced at least one case in a person who recently attended a drum circle, according to the DOH. With an estimated 100 people on the beach for sunset at Makena and the rising of the full moon, there were no masks in evidence and there appeared to be little, if any, physical distancing between groups of people. The scene here was repeated on beaches and in parks across the state.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources reported receiving numerous complaints over the weekend of people, particularly in state parks, not abiding by state and county emergency rules. This includes multiple complaints about people on small boats not following the required rules.
“As long as individuals in our communities fail to accept personal responsibility for the spread of COVID-19, we are unfortunately going to see continued days of triple digit numbers,”Anderson said. “This already has resulted in the renewal of restrictions on large social gatherings and other conditions and is likely going to lead to additional ones.”
PREVIOUSLY
The state Department of Health will report “about 200 cases” of COVID-19 today, according to state House Speaker Scott Saiki.
Saiki said the number will be at least partially due in a lag in testing and reporting of cases.
“It’s going to be a high number,” Saiki said.
His comments came during this morning’s meeting of the House COVID-19 and Economic and Financial Preparedness Committee.
This story will be updated and a full story will appear in Tuesday’s Tribune-Herald.