The number of new COVID-19 cases across Hawaii continues to climb with 136 new cases reported statewide on Friday, 13 of which were on the Big Island.
According to data from the state Department of Health, 50 cases have been reported in Hilo in the last 14 days, while 30 have been reported in Kailua-Kona and 11 in Mountain View have been reported during the same time frame.
Hawaii County now has a 1.7% test positivity rate, compared to the 1.9% positivity rate statewide.
As of Thursday, the state has administered more than 634,400 cumulative vaccine doses.
On the Big Island, 27.7% of the population has received at least one vaccine dose.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, an Oahu Democrat, on Friday announced that the DOH will receive $32.8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act to support distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The money can be used for a broad range of vaccine distribution efforts, including operating vaccine sites across the state, supporting staff and systems to coordinate and track vaccinations and conducting community outreach to encourage vaccination.
Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home also will receive at least $600,000 in federal funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and December’s relief law.
The new funding will be used to upgrade facilities in the veterans home and support its continued operation.
During a devastating COVID-19 outbreak, which began in late August, 71 residents and 35 employees tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and 27 residents died.
