COVID-19 Delta variant detected on Oahu

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The Hawai'i Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division (SLD) confirms the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617.2, also known as the Delta variant of COVID-19, in the islands.

It was detected in a specimen from an Oahu resident. The person was isolated and household and close contacts were quarantined. 

The Delta variant currently makes up approximately 6% of the total case in the United States, according to a press release from the state’s Department of Health.

“Early evidence suggests the Delta variant might spread more quickly than other SARS-CoV-2 strains,” State Laboratories Division Administrator Edward Desmond said. “There are reports the Delta variant produces a higher rate of severe illness than original COVID-19, but we do not yet have enough evidence to support that conclusion.”

As of Tuesday, there were 1,690,786 positive COVID tests in Hawaii and 37,134 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There have been 507 fatalities and a 1.4% fatality rate, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency reported.