KDHO: 12 hospitalized, 23 new cases Nov. 18

LIHU‘E — Thursday, the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 23 new cases of COVID-19, consisting of one visitor and 22 residents.

Of the 23 new cases, six are children and 17 are adults. Two of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 21 cases are considered community-acquired. Nineteen of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of a previously announced case or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining two cases have no known source of infection.

These cases bring the number of active cases to 122, with 12 hospitalized. According to the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, three COVID-19 patients are in the intensive-care unit.

To date, the county has recorded 3,022 cumulative cases.

Vaccinations are available to anyone 5 years of age or older. 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 5 years of age and older, and is currently available at Wilcox Medical Center, Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Kaiser Permanente Lihu‘e Clinic.

This week, the KDHO is accepting walk-ins for children aged 5 to 11 at the Hanapepe Recreation Center today from 4 to 6 p.m., 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.

Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i will be distributing vaccines at both the Kekaha Neighborhood Center and at Isenberg Park from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

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 Center seven days a week at cvs.com/vaccine.