Hawaii sees 101 new coronavirus cases as the statewide tally rises to 31,270
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / APRIL 16
William Roehl examines his COVID-19 test secured in a package before administering his test at the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel on Friday.
The Hawaii Department of Health on Saturday reported 101 new coronavirus infections statewide, bringing the state’s total since the start of the pandemic to 31,270 cases. There were no new coronavirus-related deaths, keeping the death toll at 474.
New infections include 49 on Oahu, 37 on Maui, 11 on Hawaii island, one on Kauai and three Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state, according to health officials. As a result of updated information, one case each from Oahu and Maui was removed from the counts. The statistics released Saturday reflect the new cases reported to the department Wednesday.
Health officials also said there were 1,188 active cases, down nine from the previous count. Oahu had 760 active cases; Maui 300; Hawaii island 123; Kauai four; and Molokai one.
A total of 2,076 COVID-19 cases have required hospitalization, with three new hospitalizations reported Saturday by state health officials. A total of 46 patients with the virus were in Hawaii hospitals as of Friday morning, with 10 in intensive care units and five on ventilators.
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services and Bank of Hawaii continued their partnership to provide COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturdays at the bank’s Kalihi branch, which closed in February 2020. Staff and volunteers from the community health center, who are fluent in 26 Asian and Pacific Islander languages and dialects, have been administering the vaccines by appointment only since March 27.
Using the bank to administer vaccinations enables the health center to continue operating its Na Koa Clinic to test for and treat COVID-19 patients without shutting it down to operate the space as a vaccination clinic, according to a news release. Kokua Kalihi Valley also is providing vaccinations to patients at its Gulick Elder Care Center on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Bank of Hawaii Foundation provided a $4,000 grant to cover lunch costs for a team of between 32 and 36 people working at the vaccination clinics, including Kokua Kalihi Valley staff and members of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department.
So far, 1,027,849 vaccine doses have been administered across the islands as of Thursday, according to preliminary DOH data, with 34% of the state’s population receiving at least one shot.
This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.
