HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii reported 3,290 new COVID cases Friday, as a surge in new infections ― driven by the highly transmissible Omicron mutation ― continued.
The state also reported five additional fatalities.
Health experts braced for even higher case counts in the wake of New Year’s celebrations. Amid the rise in cases, officials are quick to note the number doesn’t include positives from at-home COVID tests.
On Thursday, the state reported a record 3,484 new infections.
State Department of Health officials have urged residents to avoid large gatherings and to take precautions heading into the New Year’s holiday.
But only Hawaii County has instituted new restrictions ― limiting get-togethers indoors to 10 people rather than 25. There are no new COVID rules in place on Oahu as the island plans to celebrate the holiday.
The latest infections push the state’s total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 112,932. Over the past 14 days, the state says there have been 21,128 cases detected.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus has risen to 1,090.
Of the new infections reported Friday:
- 2,514 were on Oahu
- 317 on Maui
- 256 on Hawaii Island
- 127 on Kauai
- 10 on Molokai
- Two on Lanai
There were also 64 people diagnosed out of state.
The state is no longer issuing details daily on where COVID deaths occurred, their age ranges, and whether those who died had underlying conditions.
Some 74.2% of the state’s residents are fully vaccinated, while 79.7% have received at least one dose. At least 25% of those eligible have received a booster.
This story will be updated.
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