HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-20Fifthfatalityand26newcasesofCOVID19onAug20DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: August 20, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
(808) 241-4900
Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announces fifth
Kaua‘i fatality and 26 new cases of COVID-19 on Aug. 20; Kaua‘i Bus riders and
attendees of Rice Street gathering urged to test after COVID-19 exposure
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported Kaua‘i’s
fifth fatality from COVID-19 and announced 26 new cases on Friday, Aug. 20.
The fatality was a male Kaua‘i resident in his 80’s who was hospitalized.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of this individual,”
said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. “It has been a painful month for many in our community. We carry in
our hearts those we have lost as we continue our response and fight against this terrible disease.”
Health officials are also urging riders of the Kaua‘i Bus, who rode the route 100 or 200 line
between Kekaha and Līhu‘e during the afternoon or evenings of Aug. 10, 11, or 12, to get tested as they
may have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case.
In addition, health officials are alerting anyone who attended the informal gathering fronting the
historic county building lawn on Rice Street on Aug. 9 that they may have been exposed to a confirmed
COVID-19 case and should get tested.
“We are making these announcements today to reach as many people as quickly as possible,”
said Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman. “If you rode this bus line during the exposure
dates, or if you were at the gathering on Rice Street, please get tested. If you are experiencing
symptoms, please seek healthcare immediately and notify your healthcare provider. Getting tested will
help you take action to avoid spreading disease to others.”
Today’s cases are one visitor and 25 residents. Of the 26 cases, four are children and 22 are
adults. Two of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 24 cases are considered
community-acquired. Fourteen of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously
announced cases or are tied to one of the active clusters. The remaining 10 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.
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 210, with two hospitalized, and 1,039
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 985 confirmed locally, eight probable, and 46
positive cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.
DOH contact tracing and more info:
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. Your close contacts should quarantine and plan to be
tested. Your prompt action makes a difference.
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.
Vaccine info:
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.
Testing info:
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.
Free drive-thru testing is also available daily at Līhu‘e Pharmacy Group, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointments are highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. For an appointment, register online
at PreventCOVIDHI.com or call (808) 635-4968. Līhu‘e Pharmacy offers PCR mid-turbinate testing.
Results are expected to be provided the same day via email.
Testing is also available through your primary care physician, a hospital, or an urgent care clinic.
Please 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.
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