There were 39 new cases of COVID-19 on the Big Island today, the single highest one-day total since the pandemic began.
Statewide, there were 263 new cases, according to the state Department of Health.
The number of positive cases at the Yukio Okutsu Veterans State Home also rose Saturday, with 23 residents and eight employees testing positive, according to Hilo Medical Center. These totals are associated with an outbreak reported earlier this week at the facility.
Twenty of the residents were being cared for at the veterans home, and three were sent to HMC for treatment.
As of this morning, there were 17 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at HMC, including four in the Intensive Care Unit.
Due to the large turnout in Hilo today for drive-up testing at Prince Kuhio Plaza, testing will be conducted again on Sunday at the same location from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The testing will be at the mall’s Ohuohu Street parking lot (across from Macy’s menswear wing).
No insurance is necessary to be tested, but please bring an insurance card if you have one.
Face coverings and social distancing are required.