Third Kauai Resident Succumbs to COVID-19

COVID-19 has claimed a third life on Kauai, officials confirmed Friday, Aug. 6.

The fatality was a male Kaua‘i resident in his 70s who was hospitalized on O‘ahu.

“We are saddened to report the third death of a Kaua‘i resident as a result of COVID-19,” said Mayor Derek SK Kawakami. “We extend our sincere warmth, prayers, and aloha to the family and loved ones of the individual for this painful loss to our community.”

Additionally, the Kaua‘i District Health Office confirmed 26 new cases, three visitors and 23 residents.

Of the 26 cases, six are children and 20 are adults. Ten of the cases are related to travel — eight mainland and two interisland. The remaining sixteen cases are considered community-acquired. Fifteen of them are close contacts of previously announced cases or tied to a new restaurant cluster identified by the Department of Health Thursday, Aug. 5.

The last community-acquired infection has 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.

Daily case counts continue to rise rapidly, despite the Department of Health’s efforts to perform comprehensive case investigation and contact tracing.

“If you test positive, please don’t wait to hear from the Department of Health before taking action: isolate yourself at home, and let those you’ve been in contact with know that they’ve been exposed,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “Your close contacts should quarantine and plan to be tested. Your prompt action makes a difference.”

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 87, with two hospitalized, and 676 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 625 confirmed locally, six probable, and 45 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.

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.