On 8/21/2020, the Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 230 new positive cases. Two of the cases are on Kaua‘i, 6 are on Maui, 13 are on Hawai‘i Island, and 209 are on O‘ahu for a cumulative total of 6,072 cases statewide (reported since 2/28/2020).
Two previous cases were removed due to updated laboratory information.
A total of 173,550 individuals have been tested in the state.
Current Situation in Hawaii
We continue to see cases associated with the remaining bars that are still open. It is difficult to wear a mask while drinking and as people become impaired, they naturally stop physically distancing and begin to congregate together.
We have heard reports that people are still doing rigorous activities in gyms while wearing masks. This may be contributing to spread of infection as the consistency of mask wearing is unclear, specifically if they are worn all the time or correctly.
The effectiveness of mask wearing while the mask is wet with sweat or vapor is unclear at this time. Some gyms have done a good job with rigorous protocols for cleaning, spacing etc., while others are problematic as we’ve seen in, for example, a circuit gym cluster.
Lastly and especially, we continue to see COVID-19 clusters involving parties or gatherings in private homes (e.g., birthday party, funeral, religious gather etc.). These gatherings have no masking and no distancing, mostly involving families and friends.
There have been 6,072 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaii. Of those cases, 6% have required hospitalization, and 5,587 (92%) were residents.
Comments