Hawaii News Now

A federal team has been deployed to help a Hilo care home contain a large COVID-19 outbreak.

The top stories from across Hawaii and around the world, as seen and heard on 'First at 4 p.m.' from Hawaii News Now — anchored by Ashley Nagaoka and Mark Carpenter.

Hawaii reported 167 new coronavirus infections on Friday and two additional COVID-19 fatalities, pushing the death toll from the virus in Hawaii to 96.

Both of the new deaths were on Oahu.

Of the 167 new cases, 142 were on Oahu, 21 were on the Big Island and four were on Maui.

The death toll still does not include at least seven recent fatalities at a Hilo veterans home. The Health Department said it is aware of those deaths and awaiting “medical records from the facility.”

The new cases push the statewide total to 10,459.

More than 7,000 of those cases are “active,” which means patients have not been released from isolation. Additionally, the number of people hospitalized in Hawaii since the pandemic began is at 610.

Daily, triple-digit increases of COVID-19 cases on Oahu in August prompted the city to issue the “stay-at-home” order, closing non-essential businesses and banning non-essential activities.

The nation's top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci is speaking out about what the U.S. should do this winter and fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. And Hawaii News Now got a closer look at one of the hotels quarantining COVID-19 patients.

A Health Department whistleblower placed on leave alleges she's the subject of a smear campaign.

The top stories from across Hawaii and around the world, as seen and heard on 'First at 4 p.m.' from Hawaii News Now — anchored by Ashley Nagaoka and Mark Carpenter.

The state is reporting 169 new COVID-19 infections — a jump from recent days that comes as Oahu prepares to enter a third week of the city’s stay-at-home order.

The state Health Department also said there were three additional COVID-19 deaths on Oahu.

The fatalities bring the official death toll from the virus in Hawaii to 94.

The death toll does not include at least seven recent fatalities at a Hilo veterans home. The Health Department said it is aware of those deaths and awaiting “medical records from the facility.”

Of the 169 new cases Thursday, 158 are on Oahu, eight are on the Big Island and three are on Maui.

The new cases push the statewide total to 10,292.

More than 7,000 of those cases are “active,” which means patients have not been released from isolation. Additionally, the number of people hospitalized in Hawaii since the pandemic began is at 610.

Oahu's parks and beaches are now reopen for solo activity, but some say that could be dangerous. Plus, an arson investigation is underway following a house fire on Wednesday night.

A Health Department whistleblower is facing retaliation after shedding light on the agency's inadequate contact tracing program, her supporters say.

The top stories from across Hawaii and around the world, as seen and heard on 'First at 4 p.m.' from Hawaii News Now — anchored by Ashley Nagaoka and Mark Carpenter.