Both COVID Deaths Kaua‘i Residents

The two COVID-19-related fatalities reported on Kaua‘i today were both male residents of the island.

Elton Ushio, Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency administrator, said during a Monday, Dec. 13 coronavirus briefing that one of the victims was in his 60s while the other was a previous fatality determined to be COVID-19. That victim was in his 40s.

“Our deepest condolences to their ‘ohana and loved ones,” Ushio said.

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The Garden Isle had 12 new cases reported today, all residents, and the agency, KEMA, is monitoring three active clusters. One is at a restaurant, one stems from a social gathering, and the third belongs to a industrial construction site.

Lauren Guest, deputy district health officer, said that the agency is also keeping an eye on the 12 cases of the Omicron variant that landed on O‘ahu late last week.

“It is likely a matter of time before it is detected on Kaua‘i,” she said. “The Omicron variant is exhibiting traits indicating it is even more transmissible than the Delta variant.”

All the same precautions apply to the new variant, she added: Get vaccinated, get boosters, wear face masks and avoid large crowds.

Keiki 5 years old and older can get vaccinated at a free mobile clinic from 4-6 p.m. today at the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center. No appointment is needed.

A full list of vaccination sites is available here.

Finally, the Hawaii National Guard that helped the island during the last 18 months was deactivated today by the State Department of Defense.

“A big mahalo,” Ushio said. “They were a critical part of our COVID response efforts for the past 18 months.”