Updated: 10/12/2020, 12:09 p.m. The state Department of Health reported no deaths and 42 new COVID-19 cases today. The latest counts brings the statewide total of COVID cases to 13,514. The death toll stands at 169.
Although infections dropped again to double digits, the state has cautioned in the past that low numbers on Mondays may result from weekend lab operations when reporting may be delayed.
The state continues to plan a tourism reopening on Thursday without the mandatory two-week quarantine, provided visitors test negative before their Hawaii flights.
On Friday, Mayor Harry Kim received tentative approval from Gov. David Ige to implement a second test for those arriving on Hawaii Island. Ige's office said the governor has not formally signed off on the proposal but agreed to it in concept.
If Kim receives final approval, Hawaii Island would be the first county to have a second test -- a requirement that all Neighbor Island mayors have been seeking. They say the single pre-flight test is not enough to keep their communities safe.
There have now been 12,068 cases on Oahu (37 new cases), 953 on Hawaii Island (5 new cases), 397 for Maui County (no new cases), and 59 on Kauai County (no new cases). Those diagnosed out of state stand at 37.
Oahu still leads in number of infections, but Hawaii Island continues to see new COVID-19 cases.
On Friday, the Life Care Center of Hilo reported a third death. Fourteen more residents tested positive, bringing the total to 46 cases at the 200-resident facility. An additional staff member tested positive for a total of 11 cases among employees.
The University of the Nations Kona yesterday reported the results of tests on 955 individuals in the past week. Six people tested positive and were already in travel quarantine and self-isolating. The positives bring the total number of infections reported at the faith-based program to about 50. Twenty-four remain active.
There were no new deaths at the Hilo Medical Center, where there have been six community fatalities. Seven patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, one in ICU and six in the hospital's COVID unit.
No additional deaths were reported over the weekend at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home where 27 veterans have died in recent weeks. The fatalities and infections at the facility led to the replacement of Avalon Health Care Group, which had operated the nursing home.
On Friday, the state health department rescinded an order and citation against Avalon. A spokeswoman said they were withdrawn to ensure documents were in order in case of an appeal.
