The Johns Hopkins COVID Dashboard for Thursday, November 26 at 5:25 a.m.:

Worldwide cases: 60,578,423    Worldwide deaths: 1,424,756

U.S. cases: 12,792,299   U.S. deaths: 262,435

According to the Dashboard, the reported worldwide case report increased by 617,188  in the last 24 hours.  Deaths worldwide increased by 11,807.

According to the Johns Hopkins Dashboard, the United States has added 179,051 cases in the last 24 hours.

The COVID Tracking Project reports that 89,954 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday.  Previous high hospitalization rates in April and July were just under 60,000.

Many hospital systems throughout the mainland are being stressed by the number of people with COVID-19 in their facilities.  The concern is not just ICU and regular bed capacity, but healthcare workers’ ability to keep up with the situation.  Some hospitals say they now have to turn patients away.

The latest report from Hilo Medical Center is that as of Monday, it had no patients in the hospital with COVID-19.  Kona Community Hospital as of Wednesday had two COVID-19 patients, one in the ICU and one in the COVID-19 unit.  North Hawaii Community Hospital CEO Cindy Kamikawa, in a discussion with Sherry Bracken of New West Broadcasting last week, said the hospital will not report numbers as that could violate patient privacy.

In the last day,  the number of reported deaths from  COVID-19 increased by 2,245.   The death toll is increasing every day.   With the number of families which have lost loved ones to this pandemic since February, this Thanksgiving will be especially difficult.  Health officials urge people to wear masks except when eating, to eat outdoors or with windows open, and to frequently wash their hands.  It’s best to keep gatherings small.