HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211108MODEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: November 8, 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 reports fatality and
21 new cases of COVID-19 on Nov. 8
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported another
fatality and 21 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, Nov. 8.
The fatality was a male visitor in his 80s who was hospitalized. One resident fatality has been
removed from the total count due to the cause of death being determined not to be COVID. Total Kaua‘i
COVID fatalities to date, therefore, remain at 12, including 10 residents and two visitors.
“We offer our sincerest prayers and thoughts for the family, friends, and loved ones of this
individual,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. “With the holidays upon us, we must do our part to stop
the spread of disease and avoid unnecessary tragedies.”
Today’s cases consist of two visitors and 19 residents. Of the 21 new cases, four are children and
17 are adults. Two of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 19 cases are considered
community-acquired. Nine of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of a previously
announced case or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining 10 cases have no known source of
infection, including four whom investigators have been unable to reach after repeated attempts or who
have refused to provide information.
“Our recent fatality, large number of people in the hospital, and higher case counts all serve as
reminders that COVID continues to circulate in our community,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District
Health Officer. “Please continue to be cautious as we head into the holidays: wear masks when you are
in indoor groups, and if you aren’t yet vaccinated, please consider getting vaccinated. If you feel sick,
please stay home from work or school and get tested. Mahalo to parents for taking advantage of the
new opportunity to vaccinate keiki 5 to 11 years old. Our community’s efforts will all contribute to a safe
and healthy holiday season.”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 111, with 11 hospitalized, and 2,844
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 2,785 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 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 three to five 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 available to anyone 5 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 5 years of age and older, and is currently available at Wilcox Medical Center, Kaua‘i Veterans
Memorial Hospital (KVMH), and Kaiser Permanente Līhu‘e Clinic.
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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