7 New COVID Cases Confirmed on Thursday, July 22

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, July 22.

Today’s cases are all residents – six adults and one child. The source of infection for three of the cases is travel-related: two inter-island and one mainland. The remaining four cases are considered community-acquired. One of the community-acquired infections is a close contact of previously announced cases. The remaining three have no known source of infection.

All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.

“The Kaua‘i District Health Office team continues to investigate thoroughly every case reported on Kaua‘i. Staff interviews everyone who tests positive to get information about how they may have become infected and who they may have exposed during their infectious period,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “Each person who is identified as a close contact is called by one of our contact tracers, and notified of their exposure. They are instructed to quarantine, to monitor for symptoms, and are offered testing. KDHO staff is in daily contact with every case and every close contact for the duration of their isolation or quarantine periods.”

“This is a labor-intensive but effective core public health approach to disease control, and we are fortunate to have been able to continue robust case investigation and contact tracing,” Dr. Berreman added. “As a result of these efforts, more than half of Kaua‘i cases identified this month have been identified as a result of contact tracing. These individuals might not otherwise have been identified and could have contributed to even wider spread of disease.”

“We ask our community to please cooperate with our KDHO case investigators and contact tracers,” said Mayor Derek SK Kawakami. “They are here to protect our island and make sure those affected by COVID-19 have the services and support they need. Our staff at KDHO are our friends, our neighbors, our relatives, and are working tirelessly to protect our community.”

Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 53, with four hospitalized, and 545 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 501 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.

Many cases are in residents who have traveled, and Las Vegas is a popular destination. This destination poses significant risks. The popular activities are largely indoors and can be crowded. Visitors stay indoors for prolonged periods, mingling with others from all over the country. Masks are not required. The result is a set-up for the spread of COVID-19. 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.

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 are available at hospitals and pharmacies islandwide.

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.

Free testing is available 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. 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.