7 Residents, 1 Visitor Diagnosed With COVID-19

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, July 20.

Today’s cases consist of seven residents and one visitor. Six of the cases are adults, and two are children. The source of infection for five of the cases is mainland travel-related. The remaining three cases are considered community-acquired. Only one of the community-acquired infections is a close contact of a previously announced case. The other two have no known source of infection.

All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.

“Mainland travel by Kaua‘i residents remains a major risk factor for infection,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “If you are traveling, please be sure you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask when you are indoors or in crowded places, and avoid large gatherings. Residents who travel should consider being tested 3-5 days after they return home.”

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 54, with four hospitalized, and 528 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 472 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.

Many cases are in residents who have traveled, and Las Vegas is a popular destination. This destination poses significant risks. The popular activities are largely indoors and can be crowded. Visitors stay indoors for prolonged periods, mingling with others from all over the country. Masks are not required. The result is a set-up for the spread of COVID-19. If you plan a trip, please be vaccinated before you go. And whether or not you are vaccinated, follow Hawai‘i’s prudent rules and wear a mask in crowded indoor settings.

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 are available at hospitals and pharmacies islandwide.

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.

Free testing is available 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. For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.