Gov. David Ige is asking those who rallied during recent Black Lives Matter protests throughout Hawaii to self-isolate as the state continues its fight against COVID-19.
While he was impressed with the peaceful nature of the protests— which drew crowds of hundreds together last week and during the weekend in Hilo and thousands to rallies in other areas — Ige said he was worried about how such gatherings would impact COVID-19 case counts.
“I certainly am worried, and I think for all of us who have had to deal with COVID-19 now for several months, just seeing the sheer numbers and how closely packed together they were, certainly is a concern,” he said Monday during a livestream with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
He asked those who attended to self-isolate for a few days and stay away from kupuna or high-risk loved ones.
More than a dozen new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Hawaii since Friday. Ige said the increased count is thought to stem from the Memorial Day weekend.
“I think we saw where so many went out and were enjoying the weekend and being out and about in a way that we haven’t seen for a long time,” he said.
On Friday, a total of nine cases were added to statewide counts — six new cases in Oahu residents and three older cases that were reclassified, while on Saturday, nine new cases were reported in the state.
Two new cases were reported Sunday, and a single case reported Monday brought the statewide total to 676.
Having two days with nine cases was “a little bit higher than what we might have hoped for,” Ige said, but he added that counts Monday and Tuesday would provide a better idea about the impact of Memorial Day.
“We feel pretty confident we have systems in place that can handle those kinds of counts,” he said.
Hawaii County’s total number of COVID-19 cases remains at 81, with all having been released from isolation. Only one Big Island case required hospitalization.
As of Monday, more than 63,500 COVID-19 tests had been conducted in Hawaii.
In East Hawaii, Hilo Medical Center, its clinics and sister hospitals in Honokaa and Ka‘u tested all employees and a majority of doctors, some of whom are long-term contracted and not employed by the hospital system, for COVID-19.
More than 1,500 tests, all of which were negative for the disease, were performed June 1-4.
“This was an enormous effort to get everyone tested in such a short time,” said HMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jon Martell. “I am thrilled that the results are all negative, that is extremely comforting. We believed we were safe because we took strict precautions early, but now we know for sure that we are disease free and can reassure our staff and all our patients that we possibly (are) the safest place on the island. We want everyone to feel comfortable about getting the health care they need at any of our hospitals and clinics knowing that we are working so hard to keep everyone safe. …”
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.