The Johns Hopkins COVID Dashboard for Friday December 11, at 5:26 a.m.:

Worldwide cases: 69,788,140    Worldwide deaths: 1,585,727

U.S. cases: 15,632,336   U.S. deaths: 292,382

According to the Dashboard, the reported worldwide case report increased by 718,741  in the last 24 hours.  Deaths worldwide increased by 13,162.

According to the Johns Hopkins Dashboard, the United States has added 220,203 cases in the last 24 hours.

In the last day,  the number of reported deaths in the U.S. from  COVID-19 increased by 2,412.

The COVID Tracking Project reports that 107,248  people were hospitalized nationwide with COVID-19 as of yesterday.  Hospitalization rates on the mainland have been increasing at an alarming rate, with some hospitals getting close to being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.   On the Big Island, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported on  Thursday  that 1 person is hospitalized with COVID-19.  Kona Community Hospital on Wednesday confirmed there is one COVID-19 patient in the COVID-19 unit, not in the ICU, and not on a ventilator.

Hawaii has had 18,741 total cases of COVID-19.  The Big Island had 12 new cases yesterday, with 1,664 total cases.

On Thursday, the FDA’s vaccine review committee, formally known as the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, recommended approval of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.  The FDA is likely to issue its formal Emergency Use Authorization as soon as today or within the next day.  The committee will review the vaccine made by Moderna next Thursday, Dec. 17.   Hawaii is on target to begin vaccinating people early next week, dependent on further approvals and information from the CDC relative to the agency’s final recommendations for the priority in which vaccines should be given.

Between the two vaccines, by the end of the month Hawaii is slated to get 81,000 doses, according to State Health Director Libby Char.  That is enough to innoculate more than 40,000 people as both the initial vaccines requires two doses, given 3 to 4 weeks apart.  Dr. Char said the State will get a second shipment for the second dose within the following month.  The plan now is to offer vaccinations first to front line health care workers, staff and residents of long-term care facilities, and first responders and essential workers.  Dr. Char said by summer 2021, the state and a number of providers will be well into offering vaccinations to the general population.

Dr. Char emphasized that we still need to wear masks, distance, and avoid gatherings, as well as wash our hands frequently.