The Sunday morning, May 17, 6:32 a.m. Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard:
Worldwide cases: 4,673,809 Worldwide deaths: 312,646
U.S. cases: 1,474,127 U.S. deaths: 88,898
New cases in the United States since the Saturday dashboard: 23,858
New deaths in the United States since the Saturday dashboard: 1,057
The number of additional deaths in the country each day is declining slightly–the average over the last week was 1200. Even New York, the country’s epicenter, is seeing a slight downturn in hospitalizations, intubations, and deaths, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo at his Friday morning media briefing.
Hawaii has 639 cumulative cases of COVID-19, with 67 active cases. The death toll stands at 17.
There was one new case reported on Hawaii Island on Saturday, so the Big Island has 76 cumulative cases with just the one case being active. Most of the cases on the island have been in the Kailua-Kona area, mostly because of 36 cases of COVID-19 associated with employees or family contacts of workers at the three McDonald’s restaurants on Makala Blvd. in Kona Commons, in the Kona WalMart, and at Kuakini and Kalani. All three McDonald’s closed for a time for complete disinfection, and have now reopened. State DOH Director Bruce Anderson said on Saturday that the outbreak is contained and there have been no additional cases, to his knowledge.
On Thursday, Governor David Ige said he is inclined to extend the “safer at home” order, now in effect through May 31, to June 30. He said the order would include guidelines on reopening more businesses. Gov. Ige’s Seventh Supplemental Emergency Proclamation was issued on May 5, and included allowing some businesses to reopen.
Around the state, the Mayors of Kaua’i, Maui County, and O’ahu have issued orders allowing businesses, parks, and beaches to reopen, with restrictions. Mayor Kirk Caldwell said on Saturday that he has Gov. David Ige’s concurrence to allow restaurants on O’ahu to reopen for dining in starting June 5.
Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim’s last order was May 6, and mirrored Gov. Ige’s order. It also included a list of business categories considered essential, businesses which might reopen, and a list of parks open for recreation and restrooms. The Mayor has said he’s waiting to reopen additional businesses and public facilities until Governor David Ige issues his next order.
