One more COVID-19 death on Oahu, 2 Maui cases
Another death from COVID-19 on Oahu and two more Maui cases were reported Friday by the state COVID-19 Joint Information Center.
The state Health Department said that the 19th COVID-19 death was an elderly adult on Oahu, who was hospitalized with multiple underlying health issues. Gov. David Ige expressed his condolences to the family.
“Every COVID-19 death is an emotional reminder of the need for all of us to be vigilant and wear a face covering when outside our homes, physically distance ourselves from others and wash hands frequently,” said Ige. “It’s about protecting each other and allowing the state to reopen safely. We all have a stake in this, and now is the most critical time to wear a mask.”
The 19 deaths include six on Maui and 13 on Oahu.
On Maui, the two cases included a resident and nonresident, the Health Department said, offering no other details pending investigations of both cases.
The cases raised the Maui County total to 127, including two cases on Molokai and none on Lanai.
There were 29 new cases reported statewide Friday, 25 on Oahu. Besides the Maui County cases, the others were one on Hawaii island and one resident diagnosed out of state. That raises the state total to 975 cases.
According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, 158 people flew into Maui on three flights Thursday, including 61 residents and 63 visitors.
On Oahu, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources is warning organizers of a Fourth of July flotilla to cancel the event or face arrest for violating state COVID-19 orders.
Several hundred people have signed up to join the flotilla being publicized on social media, DLNR said.
Attendance at this large of gathering is illegal and irresponsible in light of 29 additional Hawaii COVID-19 cases Friday, the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement said in a news release. Current emergency rues and orders prohibit the gathering of large groups of people. In addition, no marine permits have been issued for the event.
DLNR enforcement officials will be on patrol and on alert to detect any flotilla activity. Violations of state emergency rules and orders are misdemeanors, punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and one year in jail.