Fourth Fatality Confirmed on Kauaʻi

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=810189116312299

County officials reported a fourth COVID-related fatality on Kauaʻi during a COVID-19 briefing video released Monday, Aug. 17.

Mayor Derek SK Kawakami said the victim was a male in his 70s hospitalized on the island who had underlying health conditions.

“The virus is spreading rapidly on our island,” the mayor said. “We are experiencing some of the highest COVID case counts since the beginning of the pandemic, including a concerning number of cases in children.”

From Friday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 15, county health officials reported 77 cases, including 18 infections in children. More than 90% of the cases are in residents.

There are currently a total of 931 cases confirmed since the pandemic began in March 2020. There were 15 new cases reported by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

The Kauaʻi District Health Office is addressing to large clusters — one in an educational setting and the other at the Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center.

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 is 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.