The state Department of Health reported that Hawaii County entered its ninth consecutive week of increased COVID cases, bringing the total number of new cases for the county this week to 1,102. This is an increase of over 250 cases from the week before.
Community levels provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are based on the number of hospitalizations per 100,000 individuals. If the number surpasses 10, transmission is reported as “high” by the CDC. Hawaii County’s number of hospitalizations per 100,000 individuals was listed at 9.9 as of May 25.
“If (Hawaii County) had 10 new hospitalizations per 100,000, it would have been categorized as having a ‘high’ level of COVID,” said Brooks Baehr, DOH spokesman. “That is a razor thin margin.”
Kauai, Maui and Honolulu counties have already entered the “high” community level, according to data released by the CDC.
With the rising case numbers, the University of Hawaii announced May 24 that it will continue requiring masks indoors across its 10-campus system.
Baehr confirmed the DOH has not requested a new state or county mask mandate.
“We have not set a metric or threshold that would trigger DOH to request the state or counties bring back a mask mandate,” he said. “Having said that, it is very important people mask when indoors. We also advise people to get up to date on their vaccinations, avoid crowds and stay home when they are sick.”
With the increase in cases, hospitalizations have steadily increased while mortality rates remain stable. Hawaii County reported two new deaths over the past seven days, a woman between the ages of 50 and 59 years old and another woman 80 years of age or older, both of whom were hospitalized for COVID-19.
“We’re hearing that more people are coming to the hospital for treatment, and that’s a good thing,” said Hilo Medical Center spokeswoman Elena Cabatu, who added certain treatments are available at HMC. “They’re generally a little bit older, around 60 and older.”
Self-test kits continue to be a major mitigation method to help in reducing the spread of the virus.
“DOH has purchased and distributed more than a million self-tests in communities around the state, including on Hawaii Island,” said Baehr.
Distribution of at-home test kits took place on April 29 through support from the Hilo Medical Center at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Every household is also eligible for eight additional free home test kits, which can be ordered at: covid.gov.
Knowing when to test at home is a key factor in lowering community transmission.
“For those who are vaccinated, take a test at least five days after exposure. If you’re exposed and not vaccinated, quarantine at home for five days and test yourself at least five days after exposure,” said Baehr in a video related to at-home testing posted to the DOH Facebook. “Testing too soon won’t tell you whether you’ve been infected.”
The DOH also advises those who test positive to isolate themselves for five days, wear a mask around others for at least 10 days, tell close contacts that you tested positive, monitor symptoms and tell your healthcare provider as necessary.
The CDC is expected to produce new data related to community levels today, with Baehr noting it is “very possible Hawaii Island moves from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ when the data is reported.”
Email Grant Phillips at: gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com
