The Department of Health reported one new coronavirus case on the Big Island on Sunday, bringing the total number of people in the state who have tested positive for COVID-19 since early March to 640.

State data shows nearly 90% of those people have been released from isolation by DOH, meaning they’ve met state criteria for release and no longer show signs of the infection.

Oahu’s beaches, which were once restricted to people exercising or gaining access to the ocean, were reopened on Saturday to broader public use. That’s among several steps taken by officials to loosen restrictions as the number of new COVID-19 cases dwindles. Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

As the number of new cases dwindles, the state and counties are taking steps to partially reopen the economy.

On Saturday, Oahu’s beaches were opened to the public for more than just exercise. People can now sit on the beaches a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. But beach-goers can only gather with household members and with no more than 10 people in a group. Others must comply with social-distancing requirements.

Retail stores were allowed to reopen Friday and Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he wants to allow restaurants to reopen on Oahu with certain conditions by early June.

The Situation Across Hawaii

There have been 17 deaths of coronavirus patients in Hawaii — 11 on Oahu and six on Maui.

Since early March, when the first cases in Hawaii were reported, there have been 415 people diagnosed with the virus on Oahu. Another 117 people tested positive in Maui County, 77 on Hawaii island, and 21 in Kauai County, according to the Department of Health.

Another 10 Hawaii residents were diagnosed out of state.

There are 82 Hawaii residents who have required hospitalization because of the virus, including some on the mainland.

Want more information on COVID-19 in Hawaii? You can read all of Civil Beat’s coronavirus coverage, find answers to frequently asked questions or sign up for email newsletter updates — all for free. And check out pictures of how community groups and volunteers have been helping out in our Community Scrapbook.

Help power our public service journalism

As a local newsroom, Civil Beat has a unique public service role in times of crisis.

That’s why we’re committed to a paywall-free website and subscription-free content, so we can get vital information out to everyone, from all communities.

We are deploying a significant amount of our resources to covering the Maui fires, and your support ensures that we can pivot when these types of emergencies arise.

Make a gift to Civil Beat today and help power our nonprofit newsroom.

About the Author