Hawaii reinstates coronavirus restrictions: ‘There’s no question that the virus is surging’
August 8, 2020 in News by RBN Staff
source: www.cnbc.com
by Noah Higgins-Dunn
Hawaii Gov. David Ige will reinstate restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus as cases in the state continue to climb and state health officials predict more deaths and hospitalizations in the weeks to come.
“There is no question that the virus is surging in our state, and I know that many are worried about their health,” Ige said at a press briefing Thursday. “As we reopened our community, people let their guard down. It’s been very disappointing.”
The almost 3,000 total cases in Hawaii are relatively low compared with other states, but Ige said the recent surge poses a threat to the state’s hospital system.
“We’re also seeing an increase in hospitalizations, and from the beginning we have all stated that our health care capacity is a key indicator that we need to monitor to ensure that the number of Covid-19 cases does not overwhelm our hospitals and our health-care system,” Ige said.
Of the 117 total hospitalized Covid-19 patients in Hawaii, 115 were on Oahu, home to Honolulu, said Bruce Anderson, director of the state’s Department of Health. More than half of the intensive-care unit beds on the island are filled, he said.
