HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211222MODEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 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 41 new
cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 22
LĪHU‘E – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced 41 new
cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
Today’s cases consist of 11 visitors and 30 residents. Of the 41 new cases, three are children and
38 are adults. Twenty-four of the cases are related to travel – 22 mainland and two interisland. The
remaining 17 cases are considered community-acquired. Ten of the community-acquired infections are
close contacts of a previously announced case or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining seven 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.
“With this rapid rise in cases, we can assume that the omicron variant is on Kaua‘i. Please take
extra precautions over the holidays: limit gatherings to household members, gather outdoors, wear
masks indoors, and isolate yourself at home if you feel ill,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District
Health Officer. “Boosters provide increased protection from severe disease with Omicron. If you haven’t
gotten your booster yet, please do so as soon as possible. Booster shots are especially important for
kūpuna aged 60 and older and those with chronic health conditions. Mahalo for keeping Kaua‘i safe and
healthy through the holidays.”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 121, with three hospitalized, and 3,490
cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 3,325 confirmed locally, eight probable, and
57 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/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 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.
In observance of the Christmas Day holiday, the Kaua‘i War Memorial Conventional Hall testing
center will be closed on Dec. 24. Mobile testing will be closed on Dec. 24 at the Kalāheo Neighborhood
Center and Dec. 25. at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center.
The Convention Hall’s testing center’s normal operations and free testing is available 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 normally 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 required. 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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