COVID-19 cases continue to increase around  the world.  The  Wednesday morning, April 15  Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard shows that there are now  just over 2 million cases of  the disease worldwide.  The United States has grown  to 609,995 cases.

Worldwide, deaths attributed to COVID-19 stand at 129,045.  In the United  States, the reported and confirmed death toll stands at just over 26,000.  New York City has now added people  to the death count–more than 3,700–who are believed to have died at home from COVID-19 without being confirmed as having it, bringing the New York City death toll to 10,367.

Officials warn that social distancing and isolation is still critical.  But around the world, some municipalities are beginning to ease restrictions.  In the U.S., governors in several states  are  working together to discuss how and when to ease their adjoining states into a more normal way of life.   California, Oregon, and Washington are working  together, as are New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

In Hawaii, Governor David Ige has appointed Hawaiian Electric’s former President, Alan Oshima, as head  of a committee to  help  determine how to revive the economy as the threat of COVID-19 eases.  But there has not yet been public discussion of how and when to ease the restrictions in place statewide due to COVID-19.

Health and government officials all say that social distancing,  isolation, and  “stay at home” orders are critical right now.   In a Tuesday briefing, State Health Director Bruce Anderson revealed that in Kona alone,  at least  12 people — coworkers and relatives —  have been infected with COVID-19 by one worker at the Makala Blvd. McDonald’s.  Both that McDonald’s and the one at WalMart  are closed for disinfection.

Officials also say more testing is needed, but is limited by supplies right now.  In Hawaii, as of April 14, State Department of Health says 19,591 people have been tested, with 515  positive and 19,044 negative.  The State has 517 positive cases (two tested out of state) and 32 test results were inconclusive.  Throughout the country, more than 3 million people have been tested.