Hawaii sees its deadliest day of the pandemic, reporting 8 new COVID fatalities

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii reported eight additional COVID fatalities on Wednesday amid an ongoing surge in infections that’s threatening to overwhelm the state’s health care system.

It’s the highest single-day total for COVID deaths since the pandemic began, according to a state Health Department spokesman.

Previous higher totals reported in a single day included so-called “historical” deaths identified primarily through medical reviews. In January, for example, the state reported 10 COVID deaths in a day. But those deaths had occurred between Nov. 12 and Dec. 19.

The death toll from the virus in Hawaii now stands at 573.

Meanwhile, there were 625 new COVID cases reported statewide.

Of Wednesday’s new infections:

• 376 were on Oahu
• 100 on Hawaii Island
• 96 on Maui
• 39 on Kauai
• two on Lanai
• two on Molokai

There were also 10 residents diagnosed out of state.

The eight fatalities reported Wednesday were identified by their age and island of residence.

On Oahu, they were:

• A woman in her 30s
• A man in his 40s
• A woman in her 50s
• A man in his 60s
• A woman in her 70s
• and two men in their 80s

All of those on Oahu had been hospitalized.

The eight death was a Maui man in his 70s who died at home.

With the new infections, the total number of cases in Hawaii since the pandemic began has risen to 57,747. In the last 14 days, state health officials say there have been 9,633 new cases.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said there are now 414 people hospitalized with COVID statewide. Of those hospitalized, 348 are unvaccinated. The others are either partially or fully vaccinated.

Some 62.3% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated, while 70.6% have received at least one dose.

This story will be updated.

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