8 Kaua‘i Residents Test Positive for COVID-19

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, July 7.

Today’s cases are all adult residents. The source of infection for two cases is mainland travel-related. The remaining six cases are considered community-acquired. All six of the community-acquired cases are in close contacts of previously announced cases. All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine.

Investigations are ongoing.

“We continue to see a high rate of transmission to close contacts under quarantine. We are still awaiting results from the State Laboratory, but it is highly likely we are dealing with the Delta variant,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “Vaccination is the strongest tool we have to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19. Almost all of our cases are unvaccinated. The few vaccine breakthrough cases we have identified have had asymptomatic or mild infections. If you haven’t already, consider getting vaccinated immediately.”

Free testing is regularly open at the Convention hall, weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. 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.

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 30, with one hospitalized, and 445 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 401 confirmed locally, three probable, and 41 positive cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.

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.

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 appointments are available at Kaua‘i hospitals and pharmacies for this age group.

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. For details, visit www.kauai.gov/vaccine. Those who plan to travel can protect themselves and their families by being fully vaccinated before traveling.

For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19. For more information on the state’s COVID-19 cases or the state’s Safe Travels program, visit hawaiicovid19.com.