The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) reminds the public to be vigilant due to a steady increase of reported cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i since June 2023.As of Monday, Aug.
7, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that COVID-19 hospital admission levels for both the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County increased from low to medium level.In the week ending July 29, 2023, the hospital admission rate for Honolulu and Maui counties increased to 10.4 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 people The new cases bumped Hawai‘i’s hospitalization admission levels from low (<10.0) to medium (10.0-19.9) level.The recent increase in COVID-19 hospital admission levels parallels COVID-19 hospital admission rates nationwide.The DOH is reminding members of the public to do their part to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, especially with the recent devastating wildfires on Maui that resulted in an influx of hospitalizations on both Maui and Oʻahu.“The sudden increase in hospitalizations from the tragic wildfires highlights the need to preserve hospital capacity and prevent hospitalizations due to COVID-19,” said Health Director Dr.
Kenneth Fink. “While most people will have mild illness, taking personal steps can help reduce the risk of severe infection and further spread of the virus.”Currently, scores of displaced residents and visitors alike are being housed at shelters run by the American Red Cross and faith-based organizations on Maui.