Bright Spots Fill County COVID Briefing

It has been awhile – since before the recent case-count surge – since good news led the County of Kaua‘i’s weekly COVID-19 briefly, but such was the case during the latest update, Monday, Feb. 7.

“COVID cases continue to drop on the island and statewide,” Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami said at the top of the broadcast.

New case numbers dropped again to 74 on Monday. The 7-day average now stands at 100, whereas it was over 220 two weeks ago.

Other bright spots filled the update.

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No longer is there a limited supply of free tests or a need to show up extra early to receive one. Testing is available islandwide. Most notably, the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention COVID Testing Center is no longer running out of tickets for testing by 9 a.m. and tests are available for those who want one, the mayor reminded the public.

“There are plenty of tests each day. There’s no need to line up early,” Kawakami said.

For a full list of testing sites and more details, visit www.kauai.gov/covidtest.

The reduction in cases has also reduced the state’s workload, which means full, complete data has returned. Positivity rate, which was paused as some tests couldn’t be processed in a timely fashion, is back. Kauai’s rate is at 18.3% and the statewide average is 10%.

Lauren Guest, Kaua‘i deputy district health officer, said the Pfizer vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years old is being reviewed for approval by the FDA.

“If everything goes well, vaccines could be available for this age group in the latter part of February, she said.

Free vaccination is offered islandwide. Vaccinations are available to anyone 5 years of age or older and are free, safe, and effective. For details on the vaccination sites, visit www.kauai.gov/vaccine.