HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR_2021-11-29KDHOannounces15newcasesofCOVID-19onNov29DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: November 29, 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 15 new
cases of COVID-19 on Nov. 29
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 15 new
cases of COVID-19 on Monday, Nov. 29.
Today’s cases are all residents. Of the 15 new cases, four are children and 11 are adults. Three of
the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 12 cases are considered community-acquired.
Six of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of a previously announced case or are tied
to an active cluster. The remaining six cases have no known source of infection, including three whom
investigators have been unable to reach after repeated attempts or who have refused to provide
information.
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 98, with 10 hospitalized, and 3,160 cumulative
cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 3,100 confirmed locally, eight probable, and 52 positive
cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.
“Additionally, the DOH is actively monitoring for new variants of COVID-19, including the most
recent Omicron variant which has not yet been detected in Hawai‘i,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i
District Health Officer. “The most important measures for residents to take as we head into the holidays
are to get vaccinated if you have not already done so—including keiki ages 5 and older and boosters for
those 18 and older, wear a mask indoors in public places, avoid crowds, and if you are sick stay home
and get tested.”
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/2021/08/What-To-Do-If-You-Have-
Been-Tested-For-COVID-19.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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