HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211022MODEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 22, 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 17 new
cases of COVID-19 on Oct. 22
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 17 new
cases on Friday, Oct. 22.
Today’s cases consist of one visitor and 16 residents. Of the 17 new cases, three are children and
14 are adults. Seven of the cases are related to travel – two mainland and five interisland. The remaining
10 cases are considered community-acquired. Five of the community-acquired infections are close
contacts of a previously announced case or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining five cases have
no known source of infection.
“Cases have jumped up in the last two days. The increase is likely related to fall-break travel,”
said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “If you traveled recently, please get tested. If you
test positive or if you’re feeling sick, please isolate at home to avoid spreading disease to others. And if
you haven’t been vaccinated, please do so.”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 63, with two hospitalized, and 2,596
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 2,537 confirmed locally, eight probable, and
51 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 have declined significantly in recent weeks, but remain elevated. The
Department of Health case investigators and contact tracers call all new cases, generally within a day or
two of a positive test. If you test positive, there is no need to 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.
Most reported cases are in residents who were infected in the community. Everyone, vaccinated
or not, must follow Hawai‘i’s indoor mask requirements and gathering size limits. In addition, if you plan
to travel, please be vaccinated before you go, and get tested 3-5 days after you return to Kaua‘i. 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.
Links to home-isolation/quarantine guidelines from DOH:
• https://hawaiicovid19.com/testing-isolation-quarantine/
• https://hawaiicovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Summary-Guidance-for-COVID-19-
Cases-and-Contacts.pdf
• https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/files/2020/04/What-To-Do-If-You-Have-
Been-Tested-For-COVID19_040120.pdf
Vaccine info:
Vaccination remains the most important action each of us can take to slow and prevent the
spread of disease in our community. Vaccinations are widely available to anyone 12 years of age or older
and are free, safe, and effective.
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 can be requested to your business, event, or home by filling out the survey at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CBQCWY7 or calling the Kaua‘i District Health Office at 241-3495.
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:
If you traveled off-island, get tested three to five days after you return home.
Free testing is available at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, weekdays, from 8 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. If there is a wait, you will receive a ticket with a time to return for your test. Arrive anytime
the clinic is open to receive a timed ticket; no need to arrive early.
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.
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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