HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210901MO2DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: September 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 eighth
fatality and 29 new cases of COVID-19 on Sept. 1
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported Kaua‘i’s
eighth fatality from COVID-19 and announced 29 new cases on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
The fatality was a male Kaua‘i resident in his 70s who was hospitalized.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of this individual,”
said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. “Now is the time to come together and shift our behavior to prevent
more pain in our community.”
“The Labor Day Holiday weekend is nearly here. Please adjust your plans to avoid large indoor
gatherings, and wear masks if you spend time close to people from outside of your household,” said Dr.
Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “Vaccines protect us from severe illness and death. And
wearing masks and keeping our distance protect us from spreading disease. Mahalo for doing your part
to keep Kaua‘i safe and healthy.”
Today’s cases are three visitors and 26 residents. Of the 29 new cases, seven are children and 22
are adults. Four of the cases are related to travel – three mainland and one interisland. The remaining
25 new cases are considered community-acquired. Eighteen 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.
Active cases are directed to isolate, 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 283, with three hospitalized, and 1,441
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 1,384 confirmed locally, eight probable, and
49 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 is currently available
at Wilcox Medical Center, Līhu‘e Longs, Līhu‘e Safeway, Kaiser Permanente Līhu‘e Clinic, and Hoʽōla
Lāhui clinics in Waimea and Kapa‘a.
The vaccine van operated by Wilcox Health and Hawai‘i Pacific Health will be in Kapa‘a on
Thursday, Hanapēpē on Friday, and Hanalei on Saturday. The van will operate open from noon to 3 p.m.
each day.
The Ho‘ola Lāhui pop-up clinics will be open this Saturday at the Kaumakani Community Hall and
the Anaina Hou Farmers Market from 9 to 11 a.m. No appointment needed.
The pop-up clinic and hospital van are open to everyone 12 and older. 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 the Bryan J.
Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a 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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