More than 1,500 new COVID-19 cases were reported on the Big Island within the past three days.
On Saturday, the Department of Health reported a record 720 new cases on the Big Island, and another 585 on Sunday. With 254 new cases reported today, the island’s three-day total is 1,559.
Statewide, there have been 14,483 new cases within the same timeframe, with 5,927 reported Saturday, 3,856 on Sunday and 4,700 today.
Today, the DOH reported six new COVID hospitalizations but no new deaths statewide.
On Saturday, the DOH announced that, because of the high volume of COVID tests, the DOH can no longer process negative tests, so COVID positivity rates can no longer be determined. The last reported positivity rate for the state was 20%.
“We have reported roughly 48,000 COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks. It would be unrealistic to think our 378 contact tracers could get in touch with all those people. So, we are focusing on providing general and setting-specific guidance, and on cluster investigations that will help protect vulnerable populations,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble in a statement Saturday.