graphic by BIVN

(BIVN) – There were 156 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the State of Hawaiʻi on Saturday. Of that number, twenty-one (21) new cases were identified on Hawaiʻi island.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health says there have been 156 cases of COVID-19 reported on the Big Island in the past 14 days.

On the health department’s zip code area map showing reported COVID-19 cases with onset dates in the past 14 days, only two areas – in Hilo and Kona – indicate totals of over 10 cases. The numbers in those two areas have been slowly increasing in recent days:

• 96720 (Hilo) – 48 cases
• 96740 (Kona) – 41 cases

From the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense:

The Hawaii Department of Health reports twenty one (21) new cases of Coronavirus on Hawaii Island with four (4) persons hospitalized. A total of fifty (50) deaths have been reported for Hawaii Island.

The Coronavirus cases count and fatalities continue to dramatically increase across our Nation and are projected to continue at the current rate or worse through early next year. The news of the vaccine is very good and the first shipment will be on Island next week and will be available for health care providers but please be aware that availability to the general public is still months away. We must rely on the preventive measures in place to keep us safe through this holiday season.

The Island and State of Hawaii remain as one of the safest places to be in the United States. We need to continue to stay healthy with exercise, fresh air, sunlight, cleanliness and social connectedness within the preventive policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Please accept this kuleana to keep Hawaii safe so we can go through the next two or three months as safely as possible.

Thank you for listening and have a safe weekend.