The Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard for Thursday morning, July 2, at 7:33 a.m.:

Worldwide cases:  10,761,214      Worldwide deaths:  517,647

U.S. cases:  2,713,195    U.S. deaths:  128,421

According to the Dashboard, the worldwide cases increased by 222,637 in the last 24 hours, and 5,316 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported.

According to the Dashboard, the United States has added 54,871  cases in the last 24 hours, and deaths attributed to COVID-19 have increased by 936.  The case count is the highest reported, and is causing concern among both health and government officials.

Many of those getting COVID-19 are younger people who have been gathering in groups, often without masks, and the concern is that they may inadvertently spread it to those who are older.  Even here in Hawaii, the greatest number of COVID-19 cases are in those 59 and younger, but the greatest percentage of hospitalizations –more than 30%–is in people 60 and older.  And researchers are now confirming that even those with no symptoms can spread the virus to others.

Though Hawaii, compared to other states, has relatively few cases at 926 with 190 active cases, the state  added nearly 300 cases in the month of June.  Hawaii Island has had 87 total cases, and as of Wednesday had 3 active cases.  But Dr. Josh Green, the State’s Lieutenant Governor as well as an active emergency room physician, is expressing concern and has advice on how Hawaii’s residents need to handle this upcoming holiday weekend: wear masks.