The Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard for Thursday, September 17, at 5:26 a.m.:

Worldwide cases:  29,925,969    Worldwide deaths:  942,076

U.S. cases:  6,640,540    U.S. deaths:  197,091

According to the Dashboard, the reported worldwide case report increased by 301,104 in the last 24 hours.  Deaths worldwide increased by  5,763.

According to the Johns Hopkins Dashboard, the United States has added 39,974 cases in the last 24 hours.  In that time,  the number of reported deaths from  COVID-19 increased by 988.

The World Health Organization held a press briefing on Thursday morning, saying that the virus spread in Europe had increased.  More than half of European countries have reported increases of 10% or more in the last two weeks.  Dr Hans Kluge of the WHO said cases are increasing in those 50 and older, the biggest case increase is in those ages 20 to 49.  Dr. Kluge reinforced the same precautions that are well known–wearing masks, distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and frequent hand washing.  He said the infectious period of the virus may be 3 to 5 days in advance of having symptoms and 5 days after the symptoms.

He also said government and public health officials need to recognize that fatigue, anxiety, and depression is a normal response in the general population to an ongoing public health crisis.  He said government leaders must offer hope and understanding, and draw on the resilient spirit of people to help lead to a bright future.  He recommended engaging people, especially young people, to find ways to be social but in safe ways.  He said public support for the measures to combat the measures is critical.

In Hawaii, the case count is 10,946, with around 6,738 active cases. There have been 103 deaths in the official count, but that count does not include all who have died from COVID-19.  The Big Island has had 16 deaths from COVID-19, 15 of them in residents of the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home.
Sen. Brian Schatz asked the Veterans Administration to help, and a team came in last week to investigate the home’s practices and make recommendations.  The VA has also dispatched a team of medical professionals to help support the Veterans Home’s medical care team.

The Big Island has a cumulative 603 cases, with around 199 active cases.