1 New COVID-19 Case Reported on Kaua‘i

The Kaua‘i District Health Office reported one new case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Today’s case is an adult female resident. The source of her infection is community-acquired. All active cases are in isolation, and one case is hospitalized on O‘ahu. Close contacts are being identified, directed to quarantine, and offered testing.

Today’s cases bring the number of on-island active cases to 13, with 156 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 137 confirmed locally, one probable, and 18 positive cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.

“We have seen our first case diagnosed in a close contact after the new 10-day quarantine period. This is a reminder that the incubation period for this disease remains 14 days. The 10-day quarantine period comes with the understanding that a small number of close contacts will still become ill up to 14 days after their exposure,” said Kaua‘i District Health Officer Janet Berreman. “So those released from quarantine on day 10 need to continue exercising care: wearing masks, keeping a distance from others, and seeking testing if they develop symptoms — especially in the four days after release from quarantine.”

Mayor’s Emergency Rule 23 is in effect, which sets a temporary moratorium of the Safe Travels program. Under this rule, effective Dec. 2, all incoming travelers, including mainland, inter-island residents, and visitors, are under a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The county’s modified quarantine program remains in place for critical infrastructure workers, essential medical travel, or other special circumstances. To apply for a modified quarantine, please visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and click on the “modified quarantine request” button at the top of the page.

For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit Kauai.gov/COVID-19.

For more information on the state’s COVID-19 cases or the state’s Safe Travels program, visit hawaiicovid19.com.