Child Resident Tests Positive for COVID

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported one new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, July 6.

Today’s case is a child resident whose source of infection is considered community-acquired. The child was under quarantine as a close contact of a previously identified case. All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine.

Investigations are ongoing.

“We have identified two new clusters, one in a place of worship and the other in a shelter. However, it’s a good sign that our cases over the last few days have predominantly been in people under quarantine as close contacts. We ask for the community’s continued assistance in controlling disease spread on Kaua‘i,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “If you are symptomatic, please isolate yourself immediately and arrange to be tested for COVID-19. Almost all of our cases are in unvaccinated residents. If you haven’t already, consider getting vaccinated immediately.”

Free testing is regularly open at the Convention hall, weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Testing is also available through your primary care physician, a hospital, or an urgent care clinic. Contact those providers directly for more information. For more details, visit https://www.kauai.gov/covidtest.

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 24, with one hospitalized, and 437 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 393 confirmed locally, three probable, and 41 positive cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.

If you have symptoms or are feeling sick, you should isolate yourself immediately, stay away from household members, and not go out – including to work or school – unless you are seeking testing or getting health care. Those who have been vaccinated should still be tested if they believe they may have been exposed or if they feel sick.

Residents aged 18 and older are eligible for any vaccine available at pharmacy, hospital, and clinic locations. The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for use in those 12 years of age and older, and appointments are available at Kaua‘i hospitals and pharmacies for this age group.

Vaccination is free and widely available on the island, including on weekends and evenings and pop-up vaccination opportunities at community sites. Many vaccination sites accept walk-ins. For details, visit www.kauai.gov/vaccine. Those who plan to travel can protect themselves and their families by being fully vaccinated before traveling.

For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19. For more information on the state’s COVID-19 cases or the state’s Safe Travels program, visit hawaiicovid19.com.