LIHU‘E — Wednesday, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 33 new COVID-19 cases, all of which were of residents.
Of the 33 cases, eight are children and 25 are adults. Four of the cases are related to interisland travel. The remaining 29 new cases are considered community-acquired. Twenty-two of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or are tied to one of our active clusters. The remaining seven community-acquired cases have no known source of infection.
Active cases are directed to isolate, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.
Wednesday’s cases bring the number of active cases to 280, with four hospitalized, and 1,708 cumulative cases.
According to the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, as of Wednesday afternoon, three of the county’s 11 intensive care unit beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients. Five beds were being used by non-COVID-19 patients.
Many vaccination sites accept walk-ins. Residents aged 18 and older are eligible for any vaccine available at pharmacy, hospital, and clinic locations. The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for use in those 12 years of age and older, and is currently available at Wilcox Medical Center, Lihu‘e Longs, Lihu‘e Safeway, Kaiser Permanente Lihu‘e Clinic, and Ho‘ola Lahui clinics in Waimea and Kapa‘a.
Free testing is available at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e, weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid long wait times, staff will distribute a limited number of tickets with a specific time to return for the free test.
Additionally, a free mobile testing van is available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center on Thursdays, Kalaheo Neighborhood Center on Fridays, Hanalei Neighborhood Center on Saturdays, and the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a on Sundays.
Free drive-thru testing is also available daily at Lihu‘e Pharmacy Group, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. For an appointment, register online at PreventCOVIDHI.com or call (808) 635-4968. Lihu‘e Pharmacy offers PCR mid-turbinate testing. Results are expected to be provided the same day via email.
Once again community acquired, most likely acquired from the tons of tourist on island!! The state needs to shut down!!!