6 New COVID Cases Confirmed Among Kaua‘i Residents

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported six new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, July 16.

Today’s cases are all residents – three adults and three children. The source of infection for four of the cases is mainland travel. The source of infection for the other two cases is considered community-acquired. Neither of these community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases. They 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.

“We are seeing a rise in the number of cases in children. Children too young to be vaccinated can be infected by unvaccinated family members,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “Students are excited about returning to in-person learning, seeing their friends and teachers, participating in extra-curricular activities. Being vaccinated before school starts will make all of this safer for everyone. Vaccinated students are much less likely to get sick, and if they are identified as close contacts of a case they don’t need to quarantine. Help your student have a safe and healthy start to the new school year – get them vaccinated now.”

The DOH variant report released confirms that we see a rise in cases caused by the Delta variant both statewide and on Kaua‘i. The variant spreads rapidly, and the best protection is vaccination — the time to be vaccinated is now. The DOH wants to make sure that everyone is getting vaccinated – especially young people. This variant also impacts young people in a way that previous variants have not. Children too young to be vaccinated can be infected by unvaccinated family members. The best way to protect children from falling ill is by ensuring that everyone in the household who is 12 or older is fully vaccinated.

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 57, with two hospitalized, and 507 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 463 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 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.