LIHU‘E — The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported 30 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
“We continue to investigate the three active clusters on Kaua‘i and, unfortunately, I expect that we will identify additional cases associated with these clusters in the coming days,” Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said.
Kaua‘i’s active clusters include one restaurant, 11 total cases; one educational setting, 16 total cases; and one correctional facility, 33 total cases.
Wednesday’s cases consist of two visitors and 28 residents.
Of the 30 cases, eight are children and 22 are adults.
Seven of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 23 cases are considered community-acquired. Sixteen of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or are tied to one of the active clusters. The remaining seven community-acquired cases have no known source of infection.
“Most of our cases are in residents. Please protect yourself and our community by wearing a mask indoors, staying home and getting tested if you feel sick, and avoiding large gatherings,” Berreman said. “These protective measures are important for everyone to follow, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated. And if you aren’t yet vaccinated, please do so.”
All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.
Berreman also noted that anyone who was at Tahiti Nui restaurant in Hanalei from July 30 through Aug. 4 may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should be tested immediately, whether vaccinated or not.
Wednesday’s cases bring the number of active cases to 170, with four hospitalized, and 807 cumulative cases.
This spike in cases on-island is indicative of the state’s current uptick in COVID-19 infections being linked to the delta variant, a more-contagious form of the virus.
Tuesday, Gov. David Ige announced a new, statewide emergency order that puts new limits on gathering sizes and restaurants.
Social gatherings are limited to 25 people outdoors and 10 people indoors.
Restaurants, bars and social establishments remain open, with indoor capacity set at 50%. Patrons must be seated with their party, six-foot distancing must be maintained between groups, no mingling is allowed, and masks must be worn at all times except when actively eating or drinking.
Gyms, fitness facilities,
indoor exercise classes and other high-risk indoor activities are also limited to 50% capacity, with masks required.
Parks, beaches, trails, campgrounds, pools, shooting and archery ranges and golf courses remain open with social gathering limit of 25 people.
The county’s COVID website now includes a web portal for event organizers to submit their operational plans to the county for review.
The governor’s order requires counties to ensure appropriate safe practices will be implemented during events. Safety measures may include requiring patrons to provide proof of vaccination and/or a negative test result. No professionally organized event over 50 people can take place without county review of the event.
For professionally organized events over 50 people, submit event information by visiting kauai.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on “Professionally Organized Events.”
Source: The Garden Island
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