COVID-19 case numbers in Hawaii continue to climb upwards
In the heart of the Pacific, Hawaii is currently grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. According to the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), the test positivity rate as of early August 2025 stands at 16.1%, a significant increase from the previous week's 14.3% and a marked rise from the week before that at 12.0% [2]. This rate is well above the ideal threshold of below 5%, indicating an increase in virus spread.
The rising test positivity rate is mirrored by a trend of increasing COVID-19 cases statewide across all islands. The seven-day average of new cases has risen to 88 this week, compared to 83 last week and 67 the week before [2].
Regarding hospitalizations, while specific recent numbers are not provided in the search results, the DOH has noted rising COVID activity and emphasized that virus circulation is at a medium level, higher than expected based on historical trends [1]. This suggests that hospitalizations may also be increasing, consistent with rising case counts.
In an effort to combat the rise in cases, the DOH advises Hawaii residents to take several precautions. These include staying home when sick, covering coughs, masking while infected or recovering from COVID-19 symptoms, masking while indoors with others, and getting tested for COVID-19 to seek antiviral treatments if positive and at high risk [1]. The DOH also recommends that higher-risk populations get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
Moreover, the DOH is transitioning to new data visualization software and is still updating its COVID-19 dashboard pages. Hawaii's COVID-19 data is now available by state, county, and demographic factors such as mortality and race/ethnicity [1].
On a national level, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has categorized Hawaii as "very high" based on the viral activity level of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples [3]. Furthermore, as of July 29, the CDC estimated that COVID-19 infections were growing or likely growing in 40 U.S. states [3].
In conclusion, Hawaii is currently experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The test positivity rate is at 16.1%, and the seven-day average of new cases has risen to 88 this week. The DOH advises residents to take precautions such as vaccination, staying home when sick, masking, and getting tested if symptomatic to help control the spread. The CDC has categorized Hawaii as "very high" based on the viral activity level of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples, and as of July 29, the CDC estimated that COVID-19 infections were growing or likely growing in 40 U.S. states.
In response to this surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Department of Health (DOH) in Hawaii emphasizes the importance of health-and-wellness practices, such as staying home when sick, masking, and getting tested for COVID-19 to seek antiviral treatments if positive and at high risk [1].
Simultaneously, the DOH recommends that residents prioritize health through vaccination, especially for higher-risk populations, as an essential measure in managing medical-conditions like COVID-19 [1].
