WAIMEA — Wednesday, the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced 197 new cases of COVID-19.
This brings the number of active recorded cases to 952, with seven hospitalized. To date, the county has recorded 6,216 cumulative cases.
Due to high demand for tests, a ticketing system is in place at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall testing center in Lihu‘e and the county’s mobile testing van. This ticketing system is meant to prevent extended lines and crowding. Testing at these sites is not for those who are experiencing symptoms. Those with COVID symptoms are asked to seek testing at a drive-thru or clinic site.
“We continue to offer weekly Pfizer COVID vaccinations at both our facilities, the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital,” said Cheryl Tennberg, the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i regional chief nurse executive. “No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins only, and those needing to be vaccinated need to bring their vaccination card for the second and booster doses.”
Vaccinations for anyone 12 years and older seeking first and second doses are available every Wednesday at KVMH from 9 a.m. to noon. From 2 to 5 p.m., KVMH offer vaccinations for anyone 5 years and older.
“As requests for vaccinations decrease, we will only be holding the afternoon clinic,” Tennberg said. “The vaccine clinic at KVMH is outside in front of the Medical Office Building at KVMH.”
Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, vaccinations are available at SMMH for anyone 12 years and older. The clinic is in the hospital’s auditorium, and entry is through the hospital’s front entrance.
“In collaboration with Clinical Labs of Hawai‘i, KVMH offers COVID drive-thru testing Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon (closed on state-observed holidays),” Tennberg said. “Enter through the hospital’s Emergency Department entrance and drive straight back behind the hospital. The testing tent is located near the end. Physician order is required for the test, and individuals are asked to present a picture identification and insurance card. No appointment is necessary.”
Tennberg also addressed areas of the KVMH and SMMH hospitals that are impacted by the COVID-19.
“Due to the high community COVID positivity rate, we ask that you do not visit patients unless necessary,” Tennberg said. “Visitation to the Emergency Department and the KVMH Family Birthing Center is very limited at this time. As positivity rates decline, we will lessen our restrictions.”
Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i will have a walk-up, pop-up vaccination clinic Saturday at Isenberg Park in Lihu‘e from 9 to 11 a.m. for those aged 5 and older.
Patients scheduled for surgery are still required to have a COVID test within 72 hours of surgery, Tennberg said. “We are seeing an increase in admissions, including those with COVID. The delivery of quality patient care is our top priority.”
Across the island, pediatric vaccines are also available at Walmart, Longs Drugs at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e, Kaiser Permanente Lihu‘e Clinic and Wilcox Medical Center.
The Kaua‘i Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will be at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center on Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. This clinic will offer walk-in vaccinations for those aged 12 and older for first and second doses. Third doses and booster shots will also be available. Vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 will not be offered at this clinic.
A list of vaccination options is available at kauai.gov/vaccine.
The convention hall is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for testing.
Appointments for free, drive-thru testing at Lihu‘e Pharmacy can be made at alohaclear.com.
Testing locations can be found at kauai.gov/covidtest.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
