Highest Daily COVID-19 Case Count Reported on Garden Isle

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reports the highest daily count of COVID-19 cases at 55 on Tuesday, Aug 10.

Today’s cases consist of two visitors and 53 residents. Of the 55 cases, four are children and 51 are adults. Ten cases are related to travel – seven mainland and three interisland. The remaining 45 cases are considered community-acquired. Five of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases and 32 are tied to a new cluster identified by the Department of Health in the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center. The remaining eight community-acquired cases 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.

“The announcement today of a cluster at our correctional facility is concerning. Thirty-two of the community-acquired cases announced today are associated with this cluster,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “The DOH is working closely with the Department of Public Safety to take appropriate measures to protect workers and inmates and to limit further spread. The investigation is ongoing, and the case count is likely to increase in the coming days. We know from statewide experience that correctional facilities spread quickly and are challenging to contain. Mahalo to those inmates and staff who are already vaccinated.”

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 146, with four hospitalized, and 777 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 723 confirmed locally, eight probable, and 46 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.

The Department of Health continues to conduct comprehensive case investigation and contact tracing. However, if you test positive, please don’t wait to hear from the Department of Health before taking immediate action: isolate yourself at home, and let those you’ve been in contact with know that they’ve been exposed. Your close contacts should quarantine and plan to be tested. Your prompt action makes a difference.

Many cases are in residents who have traveled. 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. Finally, please get tested 3 to 5 days after you return to Kaua‘i.

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. 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 currently available at Wilcox Medical Center, Līhu‘e Longs, and Līhu‘e Safeway. For details on the vaccination sites, visit www.kauai.gov/vaccine.

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. Additionally, a free mobile testing van is available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Wednesdays, Kīlauea Neighborhood Center on Thursdays, Kalāheo Neighborhood Center on Fridays, Hanalei Neighborhood Center on Saturdays, and Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center on Sundays. Testing performed at the Convention Hall and through the mobile testing van is rapid PCR. Same-day results are sent via email.

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.