Keiki 12-17 and young adults 18-29 have the lowest vaccination rates against COVID-19 in Hawaii and are among the age groups that account for the most coronavirus cases, according to data from the state Department of Health.
Statewide, 61.7% of children 12-17 and 64.2% of adults 18-29 have been fully vaccinated, while 75% of both groups have received at least one dose.
In Hawaii County, the fully vaccinated rates for those groups are 52.4% and 53.5%, respectively.
By comparison, 99.2% of kupuna 65-74 and 93.7% of adults 75 and older have been fully vaccinated statewide.
The 18-29 year age group, however, accounts for 23% of all COVID-19 cases, according to the data.
Adults 30-39 make up 19% of cases, and keiki under 18 account for 18% of cases in Hawaii.
Meanwhile, kupuna 70-79 and over 80 make up just 4% and 2% of COVID-19 cases, respectively.
The number of COVID-19 cases statewide, however, continues to trend downward.
The DOH on Monday reported 255 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases statewide, including 32 on the Big Island.
An average of 339 new cases have been reported daily Sept. 19-25.
Hawaii County has a 5.2% test positivity rate, compared to a 4.2% positivity rate statewide. The county’s positivity rate is 1.1% lower than it was last Monday.
In the past 14 days, 212 infections have been reported in Hilo, and 197 have been reported in Kailua-Kona.
During that same time period, 101 cases have been reported in Pahoa, and 82 in Keaau.
Another 372 infections statewide were reported Sunday, 54 of which were on Hawaii Island.
Although no new deaths were reported Monday, 10 COVID-related deaths statewide were reported Sunday.
According to the DOH, a Hawaii Island man, 50-59, and woman, 70-79, along with five Oahu men and three Oahu women, ages 50 to over 80, were hospitalized at the time of their deaths and had underlying health conditions.
According to the DOH, 67.7% of Hawaii’s population has now been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, and 75.9% have received at least one dose.
In Hawaii County, 64% of residents are fully inoculated, while 75% have received at least one dose.
A partial list of vaccination sites can be found online at bit.ly/BigIslandvaccines.
Testing is available today from 9 a.m. to noon at HPM Building Supply-Keaau, 16-166 Melekahiwa St., Keaau, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kona Community Aquatic Center in Kailua-Kona.
More testing opportunities can be found online at bit.ly/HawaiiCOVIDtesting.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
