‘There’s no concern that the infection is rising’

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'There's no question that the virus is surging'

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A pedestrian using a protective mask passes in front of an uninhabited store showing graffiti that checks out “Unmask Maui” in Paia, Maui County, Hawaii, U.S., on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Mia Shimabuku | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Hawaii Gov. David Ige will restore limitations to suppress the spread of the coronavirus as cases in the state continue to climb up and state health authorities forecast 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 stated at a press instruction Thursday. “As we reopened our community, people let their guard down. It’s been very disappointing.”

As of Thursday, cases in Hawaii have actually grown by more than 85% over the previous week, striking a record high of approximately 132 brand-new cases daily based upon a seven-day moving average, according to a CNBC analysis of information put together by Johns Hopkins University.

The nearly 3,000 overall cases in Hawaii are fairly low compared to other states, however Ige stated the current rise positions a risk to the state’s healthcare facility 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 stated. 

Of the 117 overall hospitalized Covid-19 clients in Hawaii, 115 were on Oahu, house to Honolulu, stated Bruce Anderson, director of the state’s Department of Health. More than half of the extensive care system beds on the island are filled, he stated. 

“At this time, it’s projected that our intensive care units at the hospitals on Oahu will be filled to capacity and overrun by the end of this month,” Anderson stated. “There will be more deaths and more hospitalizations in weeks to come because of gatherings and other activities from crowding.” 

Ige stated the state will restore its inter-island travel limitations starting on Tuesday, buying tourists getting here in Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and Kalawao counties to quarantine for 14 days. The inter-island quarantine, which was raised on June 16, will continue through completion of August unless it’s ended or extended by a different pronouncement, according to the order. 

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell stated the nearly 300 city and county parks on the island of Oahu will close start Friday through Sept. 5, consisting of the beaches. He stated there will be no activities permitted on the beach or in the parks, although homeowners can still stroll on them to browse, swim, fish and other activities. 

“I know that many of you will be disappointed to hear this news — inter-island travel was an important way for families to keep in touch — but I wish this was not necessary, but the health and safety of our community remains our highest priority,” Ige stated. “I hate it when I see people not wearing masks, gathering in public places at the beach or at the parks, or partying with no regard to the health and safety of our community.”