Thirteen new COVID-19 cases were confirmed Tuesday by the Hawaii taking the statewide COVID-19 infection count to 517.
The latest
Another 18 people were released from isolation, marking more than 333 documented recoveries to date, according to the department.
DOH Director Bruce Anderson said Tuesday that Hawaii’s death rate remains low, at about 1%.
“Out of the 517, nine have died,” he said. “Essentially all others have either recovered or are being cared for.”
If people go at least seven days without symptoms, they qualify to be released from isolation, according to state and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
On Tuesday, the health department confirmed a cluster of cases that began at Maui Memorial Medical Center grew to 34 people, including some health care workers. It is the
Another cluster of cases 鈥 this time 鈥 has resulted in 14 coronavirus diagnoses, including seven employees and seven of the workers鈥 relatives.
Anderson confirmed the outbreak at a Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 meeting as well as a Tuesday press conference.
Anderson said it was an example of how “one person can create a significant problem.”
“All are in isolation and being restricted,” he said. The two McDonald’s restaurants located in Kona facilities are closed and have undergone a deep cleaning, he added.
On Tuesday, the COVID-19 death toll remained at nine people.
Honolulu County, which recorded 352 cases on Monday, now has 358.
Hawaii County went from 40 cases to 41. Kauai County reported no new cases and its infection count remained at 21.
Want to know more about COVID-19 in Hawaii? Here’s where to get the latest data on cases and transmission.
Maui County recorded two new cases taking its total to 88, up from 86 on Monday. Four other Hawaii residents have been diagnosed outside of Hawaii. Six Hawaii residents have been diagnosed elsewhere to date.
More than 19,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hawaii to date. Nearly all samples have been collected by private laboratories.
Anderson said Tuesday the health department has made a request to hire additional people to help in its case investigations.
鈥淲e have 30 volunteers on top of our staff, and we鈥檙e barely able to keep up,鈥 he told the Senate.
Also on Tuesday, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii made a call out for volunteers to sign up for the , called Na Lima Kako鈥榦. People with or without medical backgrounds are encouraged to
鈥淲hile we have not seen a聽 large surge of positive patients, we want to continue to prepare for what may occur in the future,鈥 said Hilton Raethel, the association’s president and CEO.
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About the Author
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Eleni Avenda帽o, who covers public health issues, is a corps member with , a national nonprofit organization that places journalists in local newsrooms. Her health care coverage is also supported by , , and . You can reach her by email at egill@civilbeat.org or follow her on Twitter at .