Vaccine rollout continues on Kaua‘i

LIHU‘E — Monday, the Kaua‘i District Health Office announced one new travel-related COVID-19 case in a child resident.

In this case, COVID-19 test results were obtained after returning to Kaua‘i, the county reported.

This comes off of a weekend of three additional cases, all travel related.

As of Monday, the county has 10 active cases of a cumulative case count of 177. All are in isolation, and one case remains hospitalized on O‘ahu, where they have been for nearly a month.

The state reported 89 new infections, which includes 62 on O‘ahu, nine on Maui and four on Hawai‘i Island. Fourteen state residents were diagnosed out of state.

According to the state’s Department of Health, the state has an average daily new case count of 134 and a 3.4% positivity rate.

The state’s infection rate is reported as one of the highest in the country. According to rt.live, which tracks COVID spread, Hawai‘i is the fourth-worst state for spread, after Maine, Iowa and New York.

That said, the county continues its goal to vaccinate over 70% of its population for herd immunity.

Over 2,500 Kaua‘i health care workers, first responders, front-line workers and essential employees have received their COVID-19 vaccine since Dec. 21, when the county received its initial shipment of vaccines from the state’s estimated 25,000 dosages.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 4.6 million have received their first dose.

Yesterday, Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Steven Goble said that about 80% of KFD personnel received the vaccine last week, and a slightly lower percentage of Ocean Safety Bureau personnel, too.

“The biggest complaint we got, or the one complaint that we heard, was it made people’s arm sore, but no adverse effects,” Goble said during Monday’s Fire Commission meeting, noting that he has a small bruise on his arm.

First responders were given the Moderna vaccine, which requires a second dosage 28 days following the first shot.

“We’re scheduled to go back in and get the second dose,” Goble said. “Very fortunate and feels like real progress in our efforts to combat and combat the disease.”

As additional vaccine shipments become available, the county will expand its eligibility list to add in kupuna over the age of 75 and those with chronic health conditions.

Health care workers and first responders — including dentists, physical therapists, mental health professionals and other non-physician practices — who have not been registered by their employer of the Department of Health can contact 346-9605.