Here’s a brief look at some other news from the Big Island and throughout the state related to the coronavirus pandemic:
Massive decline in Big Island tourism
Visitor spending and arrivals on Hawaii Island plummeted in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Compared to a year ago, visitor spending fell 44.3% to $113.4 million as a result of declines in visitor days (-43.8%) and average daily spending (-0.9% to $170 per person).
Arrivals dropped 53.6% to 78,389 visitors, with fewer travelers from Japan (-51.3%), U.S. West (-50.1%), U.S. East (-46.5%) and Canada (-42.9%).
Through the first quarter, visitor spending on Hawaii Island (-4% to $625.0 million) and visitor arrivals (-14.6% to 390,138) declined from a year ago. Statewide, visitor spending was down 52.2% in March. Visitor arrivals were down 53.7%.
Five new coronavirus cases reported
The state Department of Health reported as of noon Thursday there were five new cases of COVID-19 in Hawaii, making the statewide number of reported cases 618.
Hawaii County has three new cases, bringing its total to 73. Maui County has one new case, for a total of 116.
The other new case was reported in a Hawaii resident diagnosed outside the state.
Neither the City and County of Honolulu nor Kauai County reported new cases. The former has 399 reported total cases; the latter has stood firm at 21 total cases for more than two weeks.
The coronavirus-related death toll statewide is 16, with nine of those cases on Oahu and seven on Maui.
So far, 70 cases statewide have required hospitalization, and 526 individuals have been released from isolation.
Drive-through testing today and Saturday
COVID-19 drive-through testing is being offered in Honokaa and North Kohala.
The Honokaa clinic is slated for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. today at the Honokaa Sports Complex lower entrance; access through the Akia Street entrance. The Kohala testing site will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Kamehameha Park in Kapaau.
The free clinics are open to the public; however, individuals must first undergo a screening to determine if they meet testing criteria. Clinic physicians on site will make the determination regarding testing.
People will be asked to show photo ID. Additionally, people are requested to bring their own pen and any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required.
For more information, call Hawaii County Civil Defense at 935-0031.