LIHU‘E — Wednesday, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 19 new cases of COVID-19.
These cases bring the number of active cases to 125, with 12 hospitalized.
“This is the largest number of hospitalizations we have seen at one time. While our hospital capacity remains adequate, we are concerned about preventing our residents from becoming so sick that they require hospital care,” Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said.
Wednesday’s cases consist of one visitor and 18 residents.
Of the 19 new cases, four are children and 15 are adults.
Two of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 17 cases are considered community-acquired. Eleven of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of a previously announced case or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining six cases have no known source of infection, including one whom investigators have been unable to reach after repeated attempts or who has refused to provide information.
“If you test positive, you may be eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment, which reduces the severity of disease and can prevent hospitalization,” Berreman said. “Your DOH case investigator can help you access this treatment. It’s important to be treated as early as possible in your illness. Treatment is especially important for those who are not yet vaccinated. And of course, vaccination provides the strongest protection from severe disease and hospitalization.”
To date, the county has recorded 2,999 cumulative cases.
This week, the KDHO is starting neighborhood clinics for children aged 5 to 11. Walk-ins will be accepted at the Hanapepe Neighborhood Center on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. The KDHO clinic will then move to the Hanalei Neighborhood Center from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday and the Kilauea Neighborhood Center from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Other pediatric vaccination clinics include the Wilcox Medical Center, which is open on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., with appointments available at wilcoxhealth.org/vaccine.
Ho‘ola Lahui will be at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center and at Isenberg park from 9 to 11 a.m., at both locations.
Keiki appointments can also be made at the Kaiser Permanente Lihu‘e Clinic on weekdays during business hours by visiting KP.org, or at the Longs Lihu‘e location in Kukui Grove seven days a week at cvs.com/vaccine.
A list of vaccination sites can be found at 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. If there is a wait, you will receive a ticket with a time to return for your test. Arrive anytime the clinic is open to receive a timed ticket; no need to arrive early.
Testing performed at the Convention Hall and through the mobile testing van is rapid PCR. Same-day results are sent via email.
A full list of free testing locations and hours can be found at kauai.gov/COVIDtest.
So how many of the hospitalized are fully vaccinated? I do not understand why you resist giving us that information. How may of the new cases are unvaccinated? This is relevant information. Please supply us with the facts that will help to educate us. Thank you.