HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210811MO2DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: August 11, 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 30 new
cases of COVID-19 on August 11
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 30 new
cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Aug. 11.
Today’s cases consist of two visitors and 28 residents. Of the 30 cases, eight are children and 22
are adults. Seven of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 23 cases are considered
community-acquired. Sixteen of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously
announced cases or are tied to one of our active clusters. The remaining seven 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.
“We continue to investigate the three active clusters on Kaua‘i, and unfortunately, I expect that
we will identify additional cases associated with these clusters in the coming days,” said Dr. Janet
Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “I would like to remind the public that anyone who was at
Tahiti Nui restaurant in Hanalei from July 30 through Aug. 4 may have been exposed to COVID-19 and
should be tested immediately. Testing is recommended for anyone exposed to COVID-19, whether or
not you have been vaccinated.”
Kaua‘i’s active clusters include one restaurant, 11 total cases; one educational setting, 16 total
cases; and one correctional facility, 33 total cases.
Staff with the Department of Health continues to conduct comprehensive case investigation and
contact tracing, which is a labor-intensive but effective core public health approach to disease control. 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.
“Most of our cases are in residents. Please protect yourself and our community by wearing a
mask indoors, staying home and getting tested if you feel sick, and avoiding large gatherings,” added Dr.
Berreman. “These protective measures are important for everyone to follow, whether or not you’ve
been vaccinated. And if you aren’t yet vaccinated, please do so.”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 170, with four hospitalized, and 807
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 753 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.
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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