Limits on social gatherings, the lifting of a vaccination exemption for trans-Pacific travelers, and even distance learning for public school students.
These are among the measures that are back on the table as Hawaii state officials battle a resurgence of COVID cases and the delta variant.
“We’re trying to be very focused,” said Gov. David Ige, when he announced vaccination mandates for state and county workers Thursday.
While the governor has made it clear he won’t support another shutdown or stay-at-home order, he still has some changes in mind.
Lt Giv Josh Green Hawaii said the state will report 628 new COVID infections , including 424 on Oahu alone.
It’s the second day in a row Hawaii has reported more than 600 new cases.
On Thursday, 655 new infections were reported, the highest single-day total since the pandemic began.
Green said that of the 628 new cases Thursday:
- 424 were on Oahu
- 110 in Hawaii County
- 64 in Maui County and
- nine on Kauai
The remaining 21 cases were residents diagnosed out-of-state.
Meanwhile, Green reported 185 active COVID hospitalizations statewide, up from 166 on Thursday.
The positivity rate in Hawaii stands at 6.85%. That means roughly 7% of all COVID tests are coming back positive.
