HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has released new data showing a rise in COVID-19 activity levels higher than expected.
Officials said the test positivity percentage rate has gone up over the previous weeks. The seven-day average of new cases across the islands also rose over the last month.
COVID-19 has recently surpassed the flu and respiratory syncytial virus in test positivity, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions.
The DOH wants to remind the public to take precautions to avoid getting sick and protect others.
DOH official recommendations
- Get the shot: Everyone ages six months and older is encouraged to get vaccinated. Especially for at risk individuals such as children age six months to two years, immunocompromised individuals, adults 65 years or older, pregnant women, and health care workers.
- Stay home when sick
- Cover your cough
- Mask up
- Take a test: COVID-19 symptoms can mimic other respiratory viruses, but treatments may vary. Antiviral treatments work best or COVID-19 and are most effective when taken promptly after symptoms begin.
DOH is updating and improving the COVID-19 dashboard daily. You can access the data here.
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Additional information on reducing COVID-19 and other respiratory disease spread can be found here.