170 Active COVID-19 Cases Confirmed on Kaua‘i

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 30 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Wednesday’s cases consist of two visitors and 28 residents. Of the 30 cases, eight are children and 22 are adults. Seven of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 23 cases are considered community-acquired. Sixteen of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or are tied to one of our active clusters. The remaining seven community-acquired cases 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 continue to investigate the three active clusters on Kaua‘i, and unfortunately, I expect that we will identify additional cases associated with these clusters in the coming days,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “I would like to remind the public that anyone who was at Tahiti Nui restaurant in Hanalei from July 30 through Aug. 4 may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should be tested immediately. Testing is recommended for anyone exposed to COVID-19, whether or not you have been vaccinated.”

Kaua‘i’s active clusters include one restaurant, 11 total cases; one educational setting, 16 total cases; and one correctional facility, 33 total cases.

Staff with the Department of Health continues to conduct comprehensive case investigation and contact tracing, which is a labor-intensive but effective core public health approach to disease control. If you test positive, please don’t wait to hear from the Department of Health before taking immediate action: isolate yourself at home, and let those you’ve been in contact with know that they’ve been exposed. Your close contacts should quarantine and plan to be tested. Your prompt action makes a difference.

“Most of our cases are in residents. Please protect yourself and our community by wearing a mask indoors, staying home and getting tested if you feel sick, and avoiding large gatherings,” Berreman added. “These protective measures are important for everyone to follow, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated. And if you aren’t yet vaccinated, please do so.”

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 170, with four hospitalized, and 807 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 753 confirmed locally, eight probable, and 46 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.