7 Kaua‘i Residents Test Positive for COVID-19

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, July 8.

Today’s cases are all adult residents. The source of infection for six of the cases is mainland travel-related. The seventh case is considered community-acquired and is in a close contact of a previously announced case. All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.

“We are seeing a high number of cases in residents returning from mainland travel. If you have to travel, we respectfully request that you get tested three to five days after your return. Testing is free at Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “As a reminder, vaccination is the strongest tool we have to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19. Almost all of our cases are unvaccinated. If you haven’t already, consider getting vaccinated immediately.”

Testing is also available through your primary care physician, a hospital, or an urgent care clinic. Please 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 34, with one hospitalized, and 452 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 408 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.