1 New COVID-19 Case Reported Sunday

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported one new case of COVID-19 on Sunday, July 25.

Sunday’s case is an adult resident whose source of infection is considered community-acquired. The case is a close contact of a previously announced case. Additionally, the Department of Health has identified a new cluster in an occupational setting.

“Clusters of cases are a reminder that if you are sick you should stay home and away from others,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “With the help of the employer, we have so far identified 5 cases related to this cluster. Those who may have been exposed have been contacted and encouraged to be tested. Vaccination is the most effective protection, including from variants. Please get vaccinated now if you haven’t already.”

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

Today’s case brings the number of active cases to 48, with four hospitalized, and 559 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 512 confirmed locally, three probable, and 44 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 Kaua‘i District Health Office team continues to investigate thoroughly every case reported on Kaua‘i. Staff interviews everyone who tests positive to get information about how they may have become infected and who they may have exposed during their infectious period. Each person who is identified as a close contact is called by one of our contact tracers, and notified of their exposure. They are instructed to quarantine, to monitor for symptoms, and are offered testing.

KDHO staff is in daily contact with every case and every close contact for the duration of their isolation or quarantine periods. This is a labor-intensive but effective core public health approach to disease control, and we are fortunate to have been able to continue robust case investigation and contact tracing.

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.

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.