The Hawaii Department of Health released its weekly COVID-19 report today, revealing that there were 858 new infections reported in the last seven days and a total of 386,632 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Additionally, the state reported six new deaths bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,884. The average number of new daily cases decreased from 133 to 114, with a constant 7.9% positivity rate compared to the previous week. However, this does not necessarily reflect the most recent three days’ cases. It’s worth noting that the actual number of cases is potentially higher since home test kit results are excluded. The incidence rate per 100,000 people was 8.1, down from 9.4 the previous week.
Hospitalizations decreased slightly with 63 patients with COVID in Hawaii hospitals and five in intensive care. The average number of COVID patients in hospitals per day decreased from 72 to 68, according to Healthcare Association of Hawaii data. By island, Oahu had 608 new cases, Hawaii island had 148, Kauai had 45, Maui had 39, Lanai had two, Molokai had seven, and nine infections were reported for Hawaii residents out-of-state.
Recently, omicron strain XBB.1.16, also known as “Arcturus,” was discovered in wastewater samples from Hawaii and Kauai counties, according to the latest DOH wastewater report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that XBB.1.16 accounts for 9.6% of new COVID cases in the U.S., with XBB.1.5 still being the dominant lineage at 73.6%.
DOH recommends that all eligible individuals receive the bivalent booster and, for those at higher risk due to age or compromised immune systems, a second bivalent booster. The CDC has approved a second bivalent booster for seniors 65 and older and additional boosters for the immunocompromised. Those who have not yet received any COVID vaccines can now opt for the updated bivalent one since the CDC no longer recommends the original, monovalent vaccine.
According to Health Department data, approximately 27.6% of the state’s eligible population has received the updated bivalent booster so far.
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