OMG !!! 1,678 new COVID cases in Hawaii
The following written statement by CDC is in response to inquiries about today’s reported 1,678 COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 case counts reported by the Department of Health come from more than 80 laboratories. The laboratories send their test results to a company that aggregates the information. The data is then sent to the Hawaii Health Information Exchange (HHIE). HHIE reports the data to the Department of Health for documentation, analysis, and public reporting.
In this case, one of the more than 80 labs failed to get its results to the company that aggregates test results. This reporting error happened between a single lab and the company that aggregates the test results. This was not a breakdown within the DOH, but it does illustrate what can happen when systems are pushed to their limits. Hawai’i is in the midst of a crisis. Health systems are experiencing unprecedented stress.
The total number of cases reported today by the lab in question includes the backlogged case count and today’s count. The numbers are combined and DOH does not have a breakdown of backlogged cases vs. today’s cases.
As always, trends are more important than single day counts. Hawai’i continues to trend in the wrong direction. The upward trend will not slow until more of us take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our community. It is imperative we wear masks, get vaccinated and distance ourselves from those not in our household, work or school bubbles
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health reported earlier Sunday the state has surpassed 10,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past 14-days and a record high one-day case count today. 10,817 cases were documented in the last 14 days, including 1,678 today. The 10,817 infections reported in the past 14 days are considered a proxy number for active cases.
“This tidal wave of cases is straining our ability to respond at all levels—our hospitals, our labs and even our morgues are nearing or at capacity,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP. “We have not yet reached the peak of this surge, and we will not until Hawaii residents take further steps to protect themselves and their families.”
One Hawaiʻi lab experienced system errors from August 15 through August 25. Today’s case count includes this lab’s backlog of cases. The issue has been resolved and is indicative of the intense strain on the state’s health infrastructure.
Today’s case count included two deaths. More details are included below:
Oahu
1 Female, 60-69 yrs, underlying conditions, hospitalized
1 Female, 70-79 yrs, underlying conditions, hospitalized
