Hawaii News Now

Gov. David Ige has officially signed off on a new stay-at-home order that will now be in effect for Oahu residents by 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning.

Two new COVID-19 fatalities were reported in Hawaii on Wednesday, pushing the statewide death toll to 51.

Both of the victims are Oahu men — one in his 50s and the other in his 60s.

Meanwhile, Hawaii also reported 277 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infections to 7,260.

State health officials said they are concerned about rising cases on the Neighbor Islands, including Maui with eight new cases and Hawaii Island with 23 new cases. Most of Wednesday’s newly reported cases were still on Oahu, with 245.

The latest triple-digit increase in new COVID-19 infections comes as Oahu prepares for another stay-at-home order to go into effect starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

The order closes non-essential businesses for two weeks.

Non-essential businesses on Oahu are gearing up for their last day ahead of a stay-at-home order that goes into effect Thursday. Plus, a new mass testing effort begins Wednesday as authorities hope to gain further insight into the virus' spread.

Top stories from across Hawaii and around the world, as seen on the 5 p.m. news broadcast from Hawaii News Now.

The governor has approved a new “stay-at-home” order for Oahu starting Thursday at 12:01 a.m., officials announced in a news conference.

The order, which was described as similar to the order issued in March, will remain in effect for two weeks.

It allows essential businesses to remain open, including child care, construction, health care and some educational services. Religious services will also be allowed, with restrictions.

Businesses not considered essential include personal services (like salons and barber shops), gyms, and restaurants, which will have to revert to takeout only. Beaches and parks will also remain closed.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said during the shutdown the city and state will dramatically ramp up testing — conducting 70,000 tests in 14 days — to be able to reopen safely.

Officials said authorities will also use the time to bolster contact tracing and quarantine measures.

The Department of Health released specific data about COVID-19 patients in Hawaii, including their race and age. Plus, at least 284 inmates and staff have now tested positive at OCCC.

Top stories from across Hawaii and around the world, as seen on the 5 p.m. news broadcast from Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii reported two additional COVID-19 fatalities on Monday, bringing the death toll from the virus in the islands to 49.

Both of the new deaths were on Oahu — an elderly female and male. Officials did not immediately release any additional details.

So far this month, Hawaii has seen 23 coronavirus deaths.

Meanwhile, there were 169 new COVID-19 infections reported Monday. Of the cases, 150 were on Oahu, 10 were on Maui and nine were on the Big Island.

The cases push the statewide total for infections since the pandemic began to 6,181. Of those, more than 4,500 are “active,” which means they have not been released from isolation.

This month alone, the state has seen more than 4,600 cases.

Concerns are growing over Hawaii's hospital capacity as the state struggles to halt its coronavirus surge. Plus, public school teachers and students are set to start school online today, but there's a shortage of equipment for distance learning.

Top stories from across Hawaii and around the world, as seen on the 5 p.m. news broadcast from Hawaii News Now.