Visitor Tests Positive for COVID After Negative Pre- and Post-Travel Tests

The Kaua‘i District Health Office today reported a new positive case of COVID-19.

The case is an adult female visitor, who was placed in isolation after reporting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and testing positive for the virus. She had previously tested negative as part of the state’s pre-travel testing program and had also tested negative in a voluntary post-travel test. The Department of Health’s contact tracing investigation is ongoing.

“This is a traveler who followed both the mandatory and voluntary testing programs and still tested positive days later,” said Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman. “This case shows us that travelers who become infected near or after the pre-travel test may not test positive for several days after their arrival. For best results, the preferable time to take a post-travel test would be about a week after arrival. We also understand people may not be on island that long and in those cases, a test three days after arrival is encouraged.”

There are currently three positive cases in isolation on Kaua‘i, and 11 identified contacts of those cases who remain in the Department of Health-required quarantine. The quarantine count may increase as contact tracing identifies new close contacts.

Post-travel testing is available to both residents and visitors who traveled to Kaua‘i from the mainland and participated in the state’s Safe Travel Program. Testing is available no sooner than 72 hours after arrival and up to 14 days.