LIHU‘E — The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 15 new cases on Saturday, one visitor and 14 residents, of which two are children and 13 adults.
Five of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 10 cases are considered community-acquired. Nine of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of a previously announced case or tied to an active cluster. The remaining case has no known source of infection.
Saturday’s cases bring the number of active cases to 75, with three hospitalized, and 2,611 cumulative cases.
DOH case investigators and contact tracers call all new cases, generally within a day or two of a positive test.
For those who test positive, there is no need to wait to hear from the DOH before taking action: isolate at home and let contacts know that they’ve been exposed. Close contacts should quarantine and plan to be tested. Prompt action makes a difference, the DOH said.
Most reported cases are in residents who were infected in the community. Everyone, vaccinated or not, must follow Hawai‘i’s indoor mask requirements and gathering-size limits, the DOH stressed.
Whether vaccinated or not, follow Hawai‘i’s prudent rules and wear a mask in crowded indoor settings, the DOH urged.
Vaccination remains the most important action all can take to slow and prevent the spread of disease in the community. Vaccinations are widely available to anyone 12 years of age or older and are free, safe and effective, the DOH said.
Many vaccination sites accept walk-ins. Residents aged 18 and older are eligible for any vaccine available at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics.
The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for use in those 12 years of age and older, and is available at Wilcox Medical Center, Lihu‘e Longs, Puhi Safeway, Kaiser Permanente Lihu‘e Clinic, and Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i clinics in Waimea and Kapa‘a.
The vaccine van can be requested to visit a business, event or home by filling out the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/CBQCWY7 or calling the Kaua‘i District Health Office at 808-241-3495.
For details on the vaccination sites, visit kauai.gov/vaccine.
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. A free, mobile-testing van is available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a.
Free drive-thru testing is available daily at Lihu‘e Pharmacy Group on Kolopa Street near the Puhi Safeway 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.
Testing is also available through primary-care physicians, hospitals and urgent-care clinics. For more testing details, visit kauai.gov/covidtest.
