LIHU‘E — On Saturday, the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 13 new cases of COVID-19. All of these cases are residents, including five children and eight adults.
One of the cases is related to international travel. The remaining 12 cases are considered community-acquired. Nine of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of a previously announced case or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining three cases have no known source of infection.
The county has 81 active cases, with seven hospitalized.
The DOH State Laboratories Division has detected 12 cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, also known as the omicron variant, on O‘ahu.
“Most of the infected individuals have no known connection with one another. This indicates the omicron variant is spreading deeper into our communities,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said Friday. “People who have tested positive should isolate themselves. Close contacts and people with symptoms should get tested, regardless of vaccination status.”
The DOH is investigating four COVID-19 cases among patrons of the Scarlet Honolulu nightclub on Pauahi Street. Samples from two of these individuals exhibit a molecular clue indicating the possible presence of the omicron variant.
All patrons who visited Scarlet Honolulu since Dec. 3 are advised to get tested.
Scarlet Honolulu has been proactive by requiring all its patrons to be vaccinated. The nightclub is partnering with Project Vision Hawai‘i to host a COVID-19 booster clinic Saturday, Dec. 11, between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The omicron variant is exhibiting traits indicating it is even more transmissible than the delta variant, Kemble said.
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters appear to slow the spread of the omicron variant and are effective in preventing severe illness. People are advised to wear face masks and avoid large crowds.
Anyone contacted by a case investigator from DOH is asked to cooperate in an effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19. Anyone with symptoms is asked to get tested and avoid other people.
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. at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center today.
A list of free testing locations and hours can be found at kauai.gov/COVIDtest. A list of vaccination locations and hours can be found at kauai.gov/vaccine.
