Oahu continued to report among the state’s highest numbers of daily coronavirus infections Sunday, as Hurricane Douglas tracked dangerously close to the islands and hundreds of evacuees fled to shelters.The Department of Health recorded 64 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide number of infections since the start of the outbreak to 1,683. On Saturday there were 73 new cases — the third consecutive day of record cases in the islands.Health officials say the state could see an even greater increase in COVID- 19 with “more people gathering and in congregate situations” as they take...…Oahu continued to report among the state’s highest numbers of daily coronavirus infections Sunday, as Hurricane Douglas tracked dangerously close to the islands and hundreds of evacuees fled to shelters.The Department of Health recorded 64 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide number of infections since the start of the outbreak to 1,683. On Saturday there were 73 new cases — the third consecutive day of record cases in the islands.Health officials say the state could see an even greater increase in COVID- 19 with “more people gathering and in congregate situations” as they take...WW…

One of Hawaii’s largest COVID-19 testing laboratories has been cut off from its mainland supplier of chemicals needed to continue to run tests locally due to a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.That means the state’s testing capacity has been cut in half to about 2,500 tests per day from 5,000, said Dr. Scott Miscovich, who is leading broad testing efforts across the islands.He informed Honolulu City Council members today that Diagnostic Laboratory Services will no longer receive reagents and other supplies from Roche Diagnostics, one of the largest manufacturers of equipment...…One of Hawaii’s largest COVID-19 testing laboratories has been cut off from its mainland supplier of chemicals needed to continue to run tests locally due to a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.That means the state’s testing capacity has been cut in half to about 2,500 tests per day from 5,000, said Dr. Scott Miscovich, who is leading broad testing efforts across the islands.He informed Honolulu City Council members today that Diagnostic Laboratory Services will no longer receive reagents and other supplies from Roche Diagnostics, one of the largest manufacturers of equipment...WW…

Lt. Gov. Josh Green and other community physicians are calling on state health officials to do more extensive testing for coronavirus, as Hawaii gears up for the peak of the outbreak in the islands.Expanding testing to all intimate contacts of coronavirus patients, whether they have symptoms or not, will stymie community transmission, Green said.“It’s no secret that I believe we have needed much more extensive testing of COVID-positive contacts. This is how countries in Asia stopped the spread,” Green said, adding that private physicians and hospitals have stepped up to fill the testing...…Lt. Gov. Josh Green and other community physicians are calling on state health officials to do more extensive testing for coronavirus, as Hawaii gears up for the peak of the outbreak in the islands.Expanding testing to all intimate contacts of coronavirus patients, whether they have symptoms or not, will stymie community transmission, Green said.“It’s no secret that I believe we have needed much more extensive testing of COVID-positive contacts. This is how countries in Asia stopped the spread,” Green said, adding that private physicians and hospitals have stepped up to fill the testing...WW…

As Hawaii carefully considers reopening the economy, the first laboratory-based coronavirus antibody tests will begin Thursday to ascertain how many people have actually been infected in the islands.Clinical Labs of Hawaii will start offering blood tests to detect the most common type of antibody — immunoglobulin G, or IgG — that develops about two weeks after COVID-19 infection. The presence of antibodies — proteins produced in the blood by the immune system to protect against viruses — generally means a person has immunity.Antibody testing may be a game-changer in lifting restrictions and...…As Hawaii carefully considers reopening the economy, the first laboratory-based coronavirus antibody tests will begin Thursday to ascertain how many people have actually been infected in the islands.Clinical Labs of Hawaii will start offering blood tests to detect the most common type of antibody — immunoglobulin G, or IgG — that develops about two weeks after COVID-19 infection. The presence of antibodies — proteins produced in the blood by the immune system to protect against viruses — generally means a person has immunity.Antibody testing may be a game-changer in lifting restrictions and...WW…

|Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have become at higher rates than other minority groups, including high-risk African Americans and American Indians in western states, according to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.In California, with the second-largest population of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders outside Hawaii, the group had the highest rate of COVID-19 infections at 217.7 cases per 100,000, compared to all confirmed cases statewide at 62.4. In Utah, the group’s infection rate was 197.6 versus 142.2 for the total population, and Washington’s King...…|Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have become at higher rates than other minority groups, including high-risk African Americans and American Indians in western states, according to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.In California, with the second-largest population of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders outside Hawaii, the group had the highest rate of COVID-19 infections at 217.7 cases per 100,000, compared to all confirmed cases statewide at 62.4. In Utah, the group’s infection rate was 197.6 versus 142.2 for the total population, and Washington’s King...WW…

[ AD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS STORY ]Gov. David Ige is lifting the 14-day interisland travel quarantine for Hawaii residents on June 16 to allow families to “reconnect with one another” and restore the local economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.Hawaii began June with in the islands. The statewide infection count remains at 652, with 95.7% released from isolation. The state has also not had any COVID-19-related fatalities for four weeks and 17 coronavirus deaths since the outbreak, the lowest mortality in the nation.“This is an important step to reopening our kama’aina economy,” Ige said...…[ AD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS STORY ]Gov. David Ige is lifting the 14-day interisland travel quarantine for Hawaii residents on June 16 to allow families to “reconnect with one another” and restore the local economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.Hawaii began June with in the islands. The statewide infection count remains at 652, with 95.7% released from isolation. The state has also not had any COVID-19-related fatalities for four weeks and 17 coronavirus deaths since the outbreak, the lowest mortality in the nation.“This is an important step to reopening our kama’aina economy,” Ige said...WW…