Hawai‘i COVID-19 News Update – December 17, 2021
Aloha,
Here are the latest COVID-19 news and issues facing Hawai'i that you need to know this week.
COVID-19 cases surge to nearly 800 infections in Hawai‘i as the Omicron variant spreads in the islands.
- Daily COVID cases hadn’t surpassed 700 new infections since September when Hawai‘i grappled with the Delta surge. Week-over-week, there’s been a 103% increase in COVID-19 infections.
- In a press conference on Thursday, Mayor Blangiardi said he'd consider reintroducing restrictions such as bans on large gatherings if daily COVID hospitalizations reach between 350 and 400, but noted: "We are a long way from that."
- Brooks Baehr, the spokesman for the Department of Health, said, "This is another reminder that this is a pandemic, it's not an endemic, it needs to be treated as such, and we really need to be careful over the holiday season. Please if you're eligible for a booster, please go get it. Don't wait. Get your booster.
- The Hawaii Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group forecasts that Omicron will be the dominant variant on Oʻahu next month, with 500 new cases by the end of the year and 1,000 new cases a day into January.
- Hilton Raethel, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii president, added Omicron is “not the dominant strain yet in Hawai‘i; however, its doubling time is dramatically different. The doubling time for the delta variant was about two weeks; the doubling time for the omicron variant is estimated to be in the three-day range.”
- According to the Hawaii Department of Health's (DOH) latest variant report, there were 14 omicron cases from Nov. 27 through Dec. 4, making up approximately 2% of cases statewide and delta accounting for 98%.
As Hawai‘i marks the first anniversary of giving COVID-19 vaccinations, state officials continue to urge residents to get the shot.
- In a press conference today, Governor Ige announced he has no plans to change the Safe Travels program or its current rules and will continue to follow CDC recommendations.
- To date, 2,439,075 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across Hawai‘i, bringing the state’s fully vaccinated rate to 73.2%.
- Now, leaders like Lt. Gov. Josh Green say booster shots are the next major step in the pandemic fight, explaining that a drop in immunity combined with the new variant caused a jump in infection rates.
- DOH Director Dr. Libby Char says it’s critical for those who are eligible to get their booster shots as soon as possible. It appears holiday gatherings, the omicron variant, and loosened restrictions are fueling an increase in COVID cases. Vaccines, mask-wearing, and avoiding large gatherings will help us safely navigate the holiday season."
Hawai‘i’s unemployment rate drops to a new 20-month low, as economists estimate more recovery in 2022.
- Despite an ongoing worker shortage, Hawai‘i’s labor market continued to improve and marked a low unemployment rate of 6%, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
- DBEDT chief economist Eugene Tian expects the economy will continue to recover into 2022, saying, “The tourism recovery will be accelerating in 2022, and more people will be called back to the workplace. Hawai‘i’s labor market will continue to improve, and the unemployment rate will continue to decline in 2022.”
- Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines resumed service between the islands and Australia this week, as the airline looks towards restoring international routes.
- Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram said, “We continue to plan for and expect our international flying, including Japan, to substantially return by the summer of 2022. I am optimistic about the trajectory of our recovery, despite the uncertainty that continues to surround our industry.”
Mahalo,
Your BG Team