Kawakami Reports No Active COVID-19 Cases on Kaua‘i

The Hawai‘i Department of Health reports no new active COVID-19 cases on Kaua‘i and the active number of infections is now zero.

While this news is good for the Garden Island, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami stated during during a daily briefing Friday, that he is concerned with the 201 new cases reported statewide.

The DOH reported a cumulative cases of 3,115 as of Friday. Additionally, there have been two more fatalities related to the coronavirus putting the death toll at 31 statewide.

On Thursday, Gov. David Ige announced an emergency proclamation indicating that a 14-day quarantine for inter-island travel will once again be instituted, starting Aug. 11.  The restriction is a result of the several continuous days of triple-digit case counts on O‘ahu.  The quarantine order will affect travel to Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, Maui Counties and Kalawao.

While beaches, parks and some businesses have closed due to the surge of infections on O‘ahu, Kawakami said, they. don’t apply to Kaua‘i County.

“As much as possible, we’d like to avoid shutting down beaches and businesses again,” the mayor said.

After hearing concerns from parents regarding students returning to college campuses, Kawakami assured that he is in discussion with state leadership and hopes to have a decision in that regard in the coming days.

“While I realize it’s frustrating to feel like we’re going backwards, the situation on Oahu affects all of us,” Kawakami said. “Implementing quarantine adds a layer of protection to help keep our island safe and our beaches and businesses open.”