Weekly Briefing: COVID Cases Continue to Increase

COVID case counts on Kaua‘i continued increasing during the past week and now are the highest in the state, based on population, according to the county’s weekly video briefing.

“Our seven-day case average is now 48 cases a day,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in the video Thursday, May 12. “The actual number of cases is much higher because many people are using home tests that aren’t reported to the (state) Department of Health.”

Kaua‘i District Health Office Deputy Director Lauren Guest said the island’s test positivity rate is now more than 20%.

“Meaning 1 in every 5 people who come in to get tested on this island are testing positive,” Guest said in the video. “That’s the highest rate of any county in the state right now.”

Hospitalizations also are increasing statewide, which is expected given the higher case counts, she added.

The health office has more than a dozen active clusters under investigation on the island.

“Most of these are workplace clusters that happen after extended close contact among staff who are not wearing masks,” Guest said in the video. “Many of the workplace clusters are started by an employee who continues to go to work while sick. If you have symptoms, please, protect your colleagues and friends. Stay home and get tested.”

She said anyone who tests positive should contact their primary care provider immediately so they can determine if COVID treatments that require a prescription can help.

To watch the weekly briefing video, click here.