‘Another Spike’: COVID Cases Back on the Rise

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1187780525380566&ref=sharing

COVID-19 cases continue to rise on Kaua‘i.

Officials said Thursday during the county’s weekly briefing that new highly contagious subvariants are likely the reason infection counts increased this week following Easter weekend, April 18.

“We’re now facing another spike in cases, many associated with holiday gatherings earlier this month,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said. “Nationally, the CDC reports cases rose 25% last week.”

On the Garden Isle, the seven-day case average is 25, up from 10 last week and from six two weeks ago. The test positivity rate is now 17%, up from 12% last week and double the statewide average.

These numbers are also probably low, as at-home test kit results aren’t included in the tally, the mayor said.

While hospitalizations remain low, Kawakami reported that a Kaua‘i man in his 70s died today from COVID-19.

“This is a somber reminder that while we go back to our daily lives, COVID is still here,” he said.

The county will be distributing free at-home test kits next week. The distribution schedule will be as follows:

Monday, May 2:

Kekaha Neighborhood Center – 9 a.m. to noon
Waimea Neighborhood Center – 1 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, May 3:

Hanalei Neighborhood Center – 9 a.m. to noon
Kīlauea Neighborhood Center – 1 to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4:

Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center – 9 a.m. to noon
Kalāheo Neighborhood Center – 1 to 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 5:

Anahola Clubhouse – 9 a.m. to noon
Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a – 1 to 4 p.m.

Friday, May 6:

Kōloa Neighborhood Center – 9 a.m. to noon
Līhu‘e Neighborhood Center – 1 to 4 p.m.