COVID cases decline for third week

COVID-19 cases continued to decline for the third consecutive week throughout both the state and Hawaii County.

According to Department of Health data released today, there were 5,482 new COVID cases reported statewide over the past seven days, 1,717 less than the prior week. For Hawaii County, there were 579 new cases, a drop of 224 cases from the week before.

New deaths nearly doubled statewide this week, jumping from nine last week up to 16 this week. One new death was reported in Hawaii County, a man over the age of 80.

The new statewide active case count for the past 14-day period dropped again as well, from 13,974 down to 11,536.

This week’s data also reported a drop in the state’s average positivity rate, listed this week at 17.1%, as compared to 18.9% the prior week.

The seven-day average case counts for Hawaii County dropped this week as well, from 117 down to 92. The statewide seven-day average dropped from 976 down to 832.

For Hilo’s 96720 ZIP code, there have been 420 new cases reported over the last 14-day period, a decline of 120 cases from the week prior.

A majority of new cases reported over the past seven days have occurred in the 18-44 age group, while trends continue downward for all age groups throughout the state.

The death toll for the state is now listed at 1,489 individuals. Hawaii County’s death toll is now 194.

There are currently 35 COVID hospitalizations throughout Hawaii County with two individuals in the ICU.