(BIVN) – The number of newly identified cases of COVID-19 in the State of Hawaiʻi more than doubled on Friday, jumping from 7 new cases the day before to 15 today at noon. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health says the new cases were all counted on Oʻahu, bringing the statewide cumulative total to 706.

UPDATE – From the Hawaiʻi Department of Health:

13 of 15 new cases of COVID-19 being reported on O‘ahu today are all related to four known cases or ongoing investigations. Ten (10) of the cases are part of a family cluster in the same household and all the family members were previously in quarantine when someone in the family tested positive. Also, three (3) of the positive cases are in communities where DOH is actively canvasing door-to-door to provide educational information and to offer testing. Of the new cases, nine (9) are adults and six (6) are pediatric cases. Yesterday DOH reported seven (7) additional coronavirus cases bringing the statewide total to 706. One case has been removed from the count due to retesting as a negative case.

UPDATE – Governor David Ige provided some perspective on the numbers during his Friday news briefing, saying that the increase in COVID-19 cases was expected as the State moves to resume normal activities. “Most importantly we have the capacity to handle this level of cases as we still have low numbers, still the best in the country,” Governor Ige said. The governor also warned that more cases are expected as Hawai‘i gets closer to a broader reopening of travel to the state.

There are no active cases of COVID-19 identified on Hawaiʻi island, where the cumulative case count remains 81.

“The Island and State of Hawaii have done very well in minimizing the spread of the Coronavirus,” stated the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense morning radio message. “Your efforts and good work of prevention have placed Hawaii State as the top in the Nation for the lowest per capita infection rate. A grateful thank you to the community of Hawaii for doing your part to keep Hawaii safe. In going forward, know the virus threat remains and we must continue to follow the preventive policies of distancing, gatherings, face coverings, cleanliness, and keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy.”

Media Conference Set For 2:30 p.m.

A COVID-19 media briefing will be held by Governor David Ige on Friday afternoon. The governor is expected to be joined by:

• Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director, Department of Health 
• Hilton Raethel, President and CEO, Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i 
• Dr. Cecilia Shikuma, Professor, John A. Burns School of Medicine 

Passenger Arrivals By Air (Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority)

Yesterday, 1,655 people arrived in Hawaii. During this same time last year, nearly 30,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii daily, including residents and visitors. Yesterday marked eleven weeks since the state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state. The quarantine order was expanded on April 1st to include interisland travelers. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel. This data was collected from the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Mandatory Travel Declaration Form.