HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210809MODEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: August 9, 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 11 new
cases of COVID-19 on August 9
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 11 new
cases of COVID-19 on Monday, August 9.
Today’s cases consist of three visitors and eight residents. Of the eleven cases, five are
children and six are adults. Six cases are related to travel – four mainland and two interisland. The
remaining five cases are considered community-acquired. All five of the community-acquired
infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or tied to a new cluster identified by
the Department of Health in an educational setting.
All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and
directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.
“The DOH continues to investigate two clusters on Kaua‘i,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i
District Health Officer. “One of these is a restaurant cluster involving seven people with confirmed
COVID-19, including employees and patrons. The other is a newly identified cluster in an education
setting, with six people confirmed to have COVID-19. More cases may be identified as the investigations
continue. We thank both establishments for cooperating with the DOH’s investigations and
communications.”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 103, with three hospitalized, and 722
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 668 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.
The Department of Health continues to conduct comprehensive case investigation and contact
tracing. However, 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.
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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