The state Department of Health on Thursday reported 166 new cases of COVID-19 statewide, the largest daily case count since January.
Fourteen new cases of the coronavirus were reported on the Big Island.
Hawaii County now has a 3.8% test positivity rate, compared to a 2.6% positivity rate statewide.
The DOH on Thursday also reported the COVID-related death of a Hawaii Island man. State health officials said the individual was over 80 and had been hospitalized with underlying conditions.
Gov. David Ige said Thursday the state’s seven-day average has increased, likely because of the Fourth of July weekend, but there has been no significant increase in hospitalizations or death.
He said, too, that the state is looking to maintain indoor mask mandates.
“We are concerned because those who are not eligible for vaccinations at this time are the children 11 and under,” he said. “And we believe that encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated is the safe and healthy thing to do at this point in time.”
On the Big Island 55% of residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 64% have received at least one dose.
Statewide, 58.9% of residents have been fully vaccinated, while 65.3% have received at least one dose.
A total of 1,719,982 vaccine doses have so far been administered in Hawaii.