KDHO: 55 new cases Thursday

LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i officials are monitoring just how effective vaccination passes on neighboring islands prove to be before committing to additional requirements here.

Already, the county has implemented a proof of vaccine card or pre-testing requirement at larger, professionally organized events that “has been working well,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a Thursday statement.

“We will monitor how O‘ahu’s new restrictions impact their curve, and whether we should adopt a similar protocol that extends beyond just professionally organized events,” Kawakami said.

Last week, the county did establish a new citation for breaking COVID-19 safety rules, like mask compliance indoors and gathering sizes.

Current rules state individuals are required to wear masks indoors unless they are actively eating or drinking. Bars, restaurants and other social establishments must operate at 50% capacity. No more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors are allowed to gather at one time in a social setting. Fines range from $250 for individuals and $500 for event organizers and business owners.

“We continue to ask for the public’s help in avoiding the potential for a shutdown by engaging in COVID-safe behaviors like avoiding unnecessary travel, staying outdoors if you have to gather, wearing masks, and getting vaccinated if you’re able,” Kawakami said.

55 new cases Thursday

Thursday, the Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 55 new COVID-19 infections on-island of 54 residents and one visitor. The majority of the cases, 43, are adults and the rest children.

Forty-seven of Thursday’s cases are considered community-acquired and the rest are related to travel. Two of the cases are from people who received positive COVID-19 tests results after their arrival to Kaua‘i.

There are 317 active cases on Kaua‘i, with four hospitalized.

Recently, the state’s Department of Health reported that about 7% of COVID-19 infections since vaccines became available are in those who are fully vaccinated, Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said Thursday.

“While vaccinated people are can get delta and spread it, they are much less likely to do so than unvaccinated people,” Berreman said. “The key takeaway is the vast majority of those getting sick, hospitalized, and dying from COVID, are those who have not received a vaccine.”

Berreman said the “Mu variant” is not of concern at this time, but has been detected within the state.

“It was detected in a small number of samples several weeks ago in our state, and has not been detected since,” Berreman said. “Although public health officials are monitoring this variant, there has not been any evidence that this variant is one that is likely to become dominant the way the delta variant has.”