HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210816MODEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: August 16, 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 13 new
cases of COVID-19 on Aug. 16
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 13 new
cases of COVID-19 on Monday, Aug. 16.
Today’s cases are all residents – one child and 12 adults. Four of the cases are related to
mainland travel. The remaining nine cases are considered community-acquired. Eight of the community-
acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or are tied to one of our active
clusters. The remaining community-acquired case has 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.
“With school in session, parents should follow these guidelines to keep their children safe,” said
Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “Children should be home if they are sick, and please
get them tested. Be sure students have masks and know how to use them. Lastly, anyone in the
household 12 and older should get vaccinated.”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 221, with three hospitalized, and 931
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 877 confirmed locally, eight probable, and 46
positive cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.
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.
“COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in our community,” said Dr. Berreman. “For those who are
vaccinated, you can still become infected and spread disease to others. That means don’t travel unless
necessary, continue to wear masks, avoid crowds, and stay home if you are sick. For those who aren’t
vaccinated, the time to do so is now.”
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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