State reports another decline in COVID cases

COVID-19 cases incrementally declined for the fourth consecutive week throughout both the state and Hawaii County.

But with the prevalence of at-home testing options, the Department of Health warned cases may be higher than reported.

According to DOH data released today, there were 5,362 new COVID cases reported statewide over the past seven days, 120 less than the week prior. This is a much smaller decline than the drop of more than 1,000 cases from the week before.

For Hawaii County, there were 578 new cases over the last seven days, a drop in just one case from the week before.

New deaths declined by just one person as well, from 16 over the last seven-day period down to 15 this week. No new deaths were reported for Hawaii County this week.

The new statewide active case count for the past 14-day period also dropped again, from 11,536 down to 10,021.

This week’s data also reported a drop in the state’s average test positivity rate, from 17.1% down to 16.5% this week.

The seven-day average case counts for Hawaii County declined this week as well, from 92 down to 77. The statewide seven-day average dropped from 832 down to 578.

For Hilo’s 96720 ZIP code, there have been 324 new cases reported over the last 14-day period, a decline of 96 cases from the week before.

A majority of new cases reported over the past seven days have occurred in the 45 to 64 age group, while trends continue downward for all age groups throughout the state.

The death toll for the state is now listed at 1,465 individuals. Hawaii County’s death toll remains 194.

There are currently 34 COVID hospitalizations throughout Hawaii County, down 11 from the week before, and two individuals remain in the ICU.