The Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard for Friday morning, June 26, at 7:33 a.m.:

Worldwide cases:  9,679,764     Worldwide deaths: 491,095

U.S. cases: 2,444,483   U.S. deaths:  124,732

According to the Dashboard, the worldwide cases increased by 185,193 in the last 23 hours, and confirmed worldwide deaths grew by 6,940.

According to the Dashboard, the United States has added 45,992  cases in the last 23 hours, and deaths attributed to COVID-19 have increased by 2,494.

The  Johns Hopkins Dashboard statistics, gathered from numerous sources around the world, show a significant increase in cases and deaths both worldwide and in the United States.  The U.S. has more than 25% of the cases in the world.

Several states are showing marked increases in cases.  Florida reported 8,942 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, and Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma have also hit case highs.  Texas doctors have said they are close to hospital capacity in several communities.   In Florida and Texas, the Governors have announced that bars must close immediately and are placing new restrictions on restaurants and even outdoor activities.

Hawaii added 17 cases on Thursday, 12 on O’ahu and 5 on Kaua’i.  Hawaii Island as of yesterday had 86 cumulative cases with 2 active, but as of Friday morning, Hawaii County Civil Defense indicated there was an additional travel-related COVID-19 case.  The newest State Department of Health report should be out around noon.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced the state will reopen travel from the U.S. with no 14-day quarantine if travelers voluntarily take a COVID-19 test within the 72 hours before traveling, effective August 1.

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have now imposed a 14-day quarantine on travelers coming in from states with high infection rates. The initial 9 states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Gov. Cuomo said if other states show big increases in COVID-19 cases they will be added to the list.