HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Health on Thursday reported 18 new cases of the coronavirus, the biggest single-day increase in two months.
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Health on Thursday reported 18 new cases of the coronavirus, the biggest single-day increase in two months.
That brings Hawaii’s total number of confirmed cases to 762. The number of people who have died remained unchanged at 17.
There were 21 new cases reported on April 18.
All of the recent cases were diagnosed in Honolulu and 15 were Hawaii residents, while the residency of the other three remained under investigation, the state said.
“This spike in cases and other recent daily spikes have been expected as people begin to move around more freely and more businesses are reopening,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. “It’s important to point out, that the vast majority of the cases we’re seeing in the state are being spread by what we call community-associated infection. Only a handful of recent cases have been detected in travelers, known as travel-associated infection.”
Health officials were investigating a confirmed case for someone working at the Hawaii Capitol. They say the risk of infection to others is low because the House Majority Staff Office worker wore a mask at work and stayed home when symptoms first developed.
The building will remain closed to the public. The Legislature is scheduled to go back into session on Monday.
Meanwhile, residents and staff of the Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Honolulu were being monitored and re-tested after two workers and eight residents tested positive for the virus.
Hawaii has been able to maintain relatively low infection rates compared to other areas in the U.S., thanks in part to a mandatory two-week quarantine for travelers arriving to the state. Gov. David Ige has extended the quarantine through July.
A similar mandate for those traveling between the Hawaiian islands was lifted this week.
