Aloha Friday Photo: Distant Diamond + Hawaii COVID-19 Update
Mahalo to Caren Espejo for sharing this Aloha Friday Photo. Whether you see Le’ahi Crater, more commonly known as Diamond Head, up close or from a distance, it always catches your eye.
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Now for an update on COVID-19 in Hawaii and its potential future effects. Recently the number of new cases have been in the 100 – 200+ range. In yesterday’s alarming report, a new record high of 355 was announced. The previous record was 231 cases on August 8. So, that’s quite a jump.
Most of the cases are centered on Oahu. Hawaii News Now reports that of the current active cases, 96% of them are on Oahu.
Hawaii has one of the highest contagion rates in the USA. In a Hawaii News Now report on Wednesday, an epidemic tracking expert estimates that one in 50 Oahu residents may have the virus.
In a press conference yesterday, Gov. Ige says that leaders are considering re-instating stay-at-home orders. Additionally, leaders may delay the start of the pre-travel testing program which would allow trans-Pacific visitors to bypass quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test. That program was set to begin September 1.
Sheila Beal
4 comments
Based on previous comments and what they have said I would be surprised if mainland pre-testing program starts before December at this point. At least they can’t point their fingers at us on the mainland for the spikes
Jon – do I remember correctly that you have a vacation planned for October? If so, do you still plan to take the trip?
Good memory! Yes October 13th. I can’t imagine the pre-travel testing program being in place by then. Can you?
Well, theoretically it’s possible, but, with the way cases have rapidly been on the rise in Hawaii, it doesn’t look promising. I was reviewing the data earlier and Hawaii has more than doubled the cumulative total number of cases in the last 12 days alone.