HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Although fewer COVID cases have been reported in the past few days, the state Department of Health is citing a new trend – an increase in younger people who tested positive for the virus.
On Friday, the state reported 44 new COVID cases, including two likely cases.
On the Honolulu Star Advertiser’s Spotlight Hawaii series, Dr. Libby Char, the state health director, while these numbers are encouraging, residents need to remain vigilant.
“We’re seeing more infections in our younger population,” said Char.
“Younger populations are a little more on the move, between the ages of 18 and 50, where we see higher levels of infection, but fewer of them seem to need hospitalization and there is a lower death rate.”
Although cases are open to younger people, Char said vaccinations prevent the spread of COVID.
But she said more people need to take pictures if we are to return to a pre-pandemic way of life.
According to the state, 51% of the population is fully vaccinated.
Of the 18 to 29 year olds, around 30% are fully vaccinated. About 40% of 30 to 39 year olds are fully vaccinated, about 50% of 40 to 49 year olds have all doses, and about 60% of 50 to 64 year olds are fully vaccinated.
Around 80% of people over 65 are fully vaccinated, which health officials cite as the reason for lower levels of COVID infections in this age group.
Char estimated that 80% of the state’s population will be vaccinated by September – but she said this will only be the case if the rate of fire remains constant and there are no serious threats to variants.
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