LIHU‘E — Monday, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported the death of a male visitor in his 80s due to COVID-19.
He was hospitalized, according to the report.
In the announcement, the KDHO clarified that one resident fatality was removed from the county’s COVID-19 total death toll after the cause of death was determined not to be related to COVID. So, to date, the county has recorded 12 fatalities, including 10 residents and two visitors.
“We offer our sincerest prayers and thoughts for the family, friends, and loved ones of this individual,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said. “With the holidays upon us, we must do our part to stop the spread of disease and avoid unnecessary tragedies.”
Additionally, the department reported 21 new cases on Monday, including two visitors and 19 residents.
Of the 21 cases, four are children and 17 are adults. Two of the cases are related to travel, while the rest are community-acquired. Nine of these cases are connected to an active cluster or are close contacts of a previously announced case. The remaining 10 have no known source of infection.
“Our recent fatality, large number of people in the hospital, and higher case counts all serve as reminders that COVID continues to circulate in our community,” Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said. “Please continue to be cautious as we head into the holidays: wear masks when you are in indoor groups, and if you aren’t yet vaccinated, please consider getting vaccinated. If you feel sick, please stay home from work or school and get tested.”
Currently, the county has 111 active cases, with 11 hospitalized. According to the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, two of these COVID-19 patients are in the intensive care unit.
The county is currently monitoring three active clusters on-island, including one social gathering and two occupational settings, Kaua‘i Deputy District Health Officer Lauren Guest said Monday.
“A few more potential clusters are currently under investigation to determine whether they meet the cluster criteria,” Guest said.
Since the start of the pandemic, the county has recorded 2,844 cumulative cases.
The Kaiser Permanente Lihu‘e clinic will host a keiki vaccine day. Walk-ins are accepted, or you can book an appointment online. The clinic is open weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30, closed from noon to 1 p.m.
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. This location will be closed on Veterans Day, which is Thursday.
A free mobile testing van is available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Wednesday, Kalaheo Neighborhood Center on Friday, Hanalei Neighborhood Center on Saturday, and the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a on Sunday. 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.
Kauai is now the per capita leader in all of Hawaii with Covid infections. Any ideas why?