The State Department of Health has confirmed 188 new cases of COVID-19, the highest number since Dec. 20. The total number of Hawaii residents who have had COVID-19 is now 21,397. In the past 14 days, the number of new cases has been 1619. These numbers reflect tests as of two days ago, Tues, Dec. 29. During the holidays the number of new cases may have shown as artificially low because of lags in testing or lab reporting. However, state officials have cautioned about gatherings as a primary source of spread. The largest number of new cases is on O’ahu, at 135, and may include inmates within prisons on that island, as several prisons have had outbreaks.
The Big Island count increased by 14 according to the State Department of Health numbers released at noon. The island has had 1,887 total cases of COVID-19. For Hawaii County, that’s the largest number of people newly-confirmed to have COVID-19 since Dec. 19, when 21 people were newly confirmed.
On the island, 51 people are known to have died from the virus. Statewide, the DOH is confirming 288 deaths from COVID, three more than yesterday, but have not provided any additional detail. Hawaii County Civil Defense says as of yesterday, 3 people on the island were in the hospital with severe cases of COVID-19. Hilo Medical Center today confirmed it has 1 patient with COVID-19.
The State Department of Health report for noon Thurs.., Dec. 31, with numbers reflecting tests as Tues., Dec. 29:
| Where | Total | New |
| State | 21,397 | 188 |
| Hawaii County | 1,887 | 14 |
| Oahu | 17,908 | 135 |
| Maui | 958 | 26 |
| Kaua’i | 145 | 0 |
| Out of state | 371 | 13 |
| Lanai | 106 | 0 |
| Molokai | 22 | 0 |
