Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has tested positive for COVID-19, his office confirmed in an email this morning.
According to a news release, Blangiardi is isolating and resting at home, saying he is in good spirits despite experiencing mild symptoms. He is fully vaccinated and boosted against the coronavirus.
Blangiardi’s office is in the process of contacting those who had close contact with the mayor in the past few days. The city’s COVID-19 restrictions ended March 5 along with Gov. David Ige’s COVID-19 emergency proclamation that expired March 25. On Monday, Blangiardi attended a proclamation ceremony to recognize the city’s emergency dispatchers for Telecommunications Week and also a news conference announcing the return of the Summer Fun Program. He was seen unmasked at the podium during both press conferences held outside.
“The mayor is expected to remain out of the office until sometime after the Easter holiday,” according to a statement.
The Hawaii Department of Health today reported 1,327 new infections compared to the previous week, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 243,299. Eight more deaths were reported, bringing the state’s total COVID-19 death toll to 1,390.
By island, there were 941 new infections reported on Oahu, 160 on Hawaii island, 130 on Maui, 55 on Kauai, nine on Lanai, and five on Molokai, with another 27 diagnosed out of state.
The average positivity rate statewide continues to tick up, and was reported at 4.9% today compared with 4.0% last Wednesday.
As of today, there were 29 hospitalized COVID patients in Hawaii, with two in intensive care units, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Last Wednesday, the agency reported 26 hospitalized virus patients.
88