Omicron, gatherings threaten spike; 42 new cases Monday

LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i officials are foreseeing a rise in COVID-19 cases.

“Unfortunately, we are anticipating a continuing increase in cases due to omicron’s transmissibility, holiday gatherings, and travel,” Kaua‘i Deputy District Health Officer Lauren Guest said Monday.

The state recorded 2,205 new cases on Sunday, a record high.

“The State of Hawai‘i set a new record case count yesterday, likely due to the omicron variant,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said Monday. “Statewide, Hawai‘i is now averaging more than 1,300 cases a day, compared with about 900 a day at our peak during the delta surge.”

Monday, the KDHO reported 42 new cases on Kaua‘i, which included 13 visitors and 29 residents. Most of the cases, 37, were adults.

Of the 42 new cases, 23 were related to travel and the remaining 19 were considered community-acquired.

The county is currently monitoring five active clusters, which include two social gatherings; one related to travel, lodging or tourism; one related to a construction setting; and one other work setting.

Effective Monday, the KDHO ceased issuing formal quarantine isolation release letters.

“Cases and contacts will still receive emails with instructions on their isolation or quarantine as well as their effective release date,” Guest said. “They can share these email instructions with their employers as needed. We are focusing our limited resources on case investigation, contact tracing, and monitoring.”

Recent data has shown that the omicron variant is causing more severe disease and hospitalization in younger children, Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said. Monoclonal antibody treatments that were effective against the delta variant, she said, have not been working as well on the omicron variant.

“Although there is one monoclonal antibody product that is effective, it is in extremely short supply nationwide,” Berreman said. “So, unfortunately, there is limited effective treatment available for those with omicron who develop severe disease.”

“The most effective way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the covid variants is getting vaccinated and getting a booster,” Guest said. “Most vaccination clinics are open this week but many are closed Friday and Saturday for New Year’s.”

Pediatric vaccines for those 5 to 11 are available at Walmart, Longs Drugs at the Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e, and Kaiser Permanente.

Wilcox Medical Center will host a pediatric vaccine clinic Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

The center will host clinics for those 12 and older Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are required for third, booster doses and walk-ins are welcome for first and second.

To schedule an appointment, visit WilcoxHealth.org/Vaccine.

The Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea will have a walk-in accepted, pediatric clinic on Dec. 29 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e will be open through Thursday this week, 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. The testing center will be closed Friday, Dec. 31 in observation of New Year’s.

Additionally, a free mobile testing van is available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Wednesdays, Kilauea Neighborhood Center on Thursdays, and the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a on Sundays. The testing clinics normally open in Kalaheo on Fridays and Hanalei on Saturdays will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in observation of New Year’s, and will reopen the following week.

Free drive-thru testing at Lihu‘e Pharmacy will be closed on New Year’s Day and reopen on Sunday, January 2rd. Appointments can be made at AlohaClear.com.