Island adds 15 COVID today; State adds 70

The State is reporting 70 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 12,804.  There are around 2,199 active cases.  The State is reporting 159 deaths.  That includes only 15 of the Big Island’s 30 deaths.

The Big Island has 810 total cases, with around 147 active.  Yesterday the island added 43, and today, 15. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim was concerned at the increase–58 in two days.

Yesterday, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said the 43 cases were mostly confirmed to two place: Life Care Center of Hilo–which sadly, lost a resident to COVID-19 yesterday–and at the University of the Nations in Kona. Kim said he was feeling very emotional, as was the administrator of Life Care Center of Hilo, as the loss of life and the spread in that care facility.

The University of the Nations confirmed 26 cases as of Saturday evening.  A press release said 4 were travel related, and 22 were a result of their “ministry” in the community.  There was no indication whether those doing “ministry” were wearing masks when in the community.

Mayor Kim said he said he is requiring the University of the Nations to lock down and not allow residents to leave campus until the outbreak investigation is completed.   He noted that many of the residents are young, out-of-state residents who are involved in religious outreach.   He said Sunawh Park, head of the Campus Leadership Team, had agreed to the Mayor’s request.  Mayor Kim said Mr. Park agreed that all food will be brought in to the campus, which is on Kuakini Highway across from Coconut Grove Marketplace.  Kim said nobody should be going off campus.

The Media Relations contact for U of N, Johnny Gillespie, said at the Mayor’s request, everybody on campus will be tested, even if they had already been tested.  He also said only “essential” staff who live in the community will be allowed to come and go, but he as of last evening wasn’t clear how many nor which staff will be in the “essential” category.

Mayor Kim said the way to stem the spread of the virus on the island is clear–avoid large groups, stay apart from others when you are with others, wear a mask, and wash your hands, frequently.  There is no magic,

The other cases in today’s report include no new, again, for Kaua’i, no new out of state, 2 in Maui County, and 53 on O’ahu.

The State’s noon report: