Hawaii News Now

The state reported 628 new COVID infections Friday, and two additional deaths.

It’s the second day in a row Hawaii has reported more than 600 new cases. On Thursday, 655 new infections were reported, the highest single-day total since the pandemic began.

The two fatalities bring the death toll in Hawaii from the virus to 540.

Both of those who died were men in their 70s. They had been hospitalized, the state Health Department said. One was on Oahu, while the other was on Maui.

State and county workers are reacting to Governor Ige's vaccine mandate announced Thursday. It requires all state and county employees to get vaccinated or pay for regular COVID testing out of pocket.

All state and county workers in Hawaii will need to provide proof of vaccination by Aug. 16 or be subject to weekly testing at their own cost ― and could be fired if they don’t comply ― under tough new vaccine requirements announced Thursday by Gov. David Ige.

Hawaii reported 655 new COVID infections Thursday, in the highest single-day total since the pandemic began.

The second-highest total reported for a single day was 452 ― and that was reached on Sunday.

The record one-day high comes amid an alarming surge in infections blamed primarily on the highly contagious delta variant.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green said the vast majority of cases continue to be among the unvaccinated.

Gov. David Ige is expected to announce a mandate today that all state and county workers must get the vaccine.

All Hawaii public high schools will now require student-athletes and coaches to get vaccinated in order to participate in the upcoming fall sports season, the state Department of Education announced Wednesday.

As a result, the state is delaying the start of the season to late September.

All Hawaii public high schools will now require student-athletes and coaches to get vaccinated in order to participate in the upcoming fall sports season, the state Department of Education announced Wednesday.

As a result, the state is delaying the start of the season to late September.

The DOE said all student-athletes, athletics staff and volunteers will need to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 24 in order to participate.

“We opened the new school year this week with in-person learning and our highest priority is to ensure all students can continue to attend school safely,” interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi said, in a statement.

Hawaii's case counts are hitting record highs — in the triple digits since at least last week.

Hawaii reported 389 new COVID infections Tuesday and one additional fatality, pushing the death toll from the virus in Hawaii to 538.

Over the last 14 days, Hawaii has logged 3,802 infections. The state does not provide details on how many cases were in vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals.

Hawaii reported 389 new COVID infections Tuesday and one additional fatality, pushing the death toll from the virus in Hawaii to 538.

Of the new cases Tuesday:

268 were on Oahu

64 on Hawaii Island

Six on Kauai

31 on Maui

There were also 20 residents diagnosed out-of-state.