HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210801MODEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: August 1, 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 8 new cases of COVID-19
on Aug. 1
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported eight
new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, Aug. 1.
Today’s cases are all residents and include five adults and three children. Three of the cases are
related to mainland travel. The remaining five cases are considered community-acquired. None of the
community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases. They have no known
source of infection. Three of the cases reported today are considered probable cases.
All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and
directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.
“Probable cases are those with a positive antigen test, or with symptoms and direct
epidemiologic link to a case, without a confirmatory PCR test. Probable cases have been included in
statewide total case counts since mid-May,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer.
“With the ease and rapidity of antigen testing, antigen tests are an important tool in diagnosing COVID-
19 infections. Including these probable cases in our daily count gives us a more complete picture of
COVID-19 in our community.”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 57, with two hospitalized, and 616 cumulative
cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 565 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.
The Kaua‘i District Health Office team continues to investigate thoroughly every case reported
on Kaua‘i. Staff interviews everyone who tests positive to get information about how they may have
become infected and who they may have exposed during their infectious period. Each person who is
identified as a close contact is called by one of our contact tracers, and notified of their exposure. They
are instructed to monitor for symptoms, and are offered testing. All unvaccinated close contacts are
instructed to quarantine. KDHO staff is in daily contact with cases and close contacts for the duration of
their isolation or quarantine periods. This is a labor-intensive but effective core public health approach
to disease control, and we are fortunate to have been able to continue robust case investigation and
contact tracing.
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.
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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