LIHU‘E — Monday, the Kaua‘i District Health Office announced two COVID-19 related fatalities, including one male Kaua‘i resident in his 60s who was hospitalized.
The other fatality was a male resident in his 40s. This death was only recently determined to be COVID-19 related.
“My heart goes out to the families, friends, and loved ones of these two individuals,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a statement. “We need to remain vigilant to keep our community safe, healthy, and avoid unnecessary tragedies this holiday season.”
These two deaths bring the county’s COVID-19 death toll to 14, including 12 residents and two visitors.
The KDHO also recorded 12 new cases on Monday, including four children and eight adults. All of these cases are residents and considered community-acquired. Eight of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of a previously announced case or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining four cases have no known source of infection.
“Omicron is confirmed to be here in Hawai‘i and it is likely a matter of time before it is detected on Kaua‘i,” Kaua‘i Deputy District Health Officer Lauren Guest said. “The omicron variant is exhibiting traits indicating it is even more transmissible than the delta variant. The good news is: COVID-19 vaccines and boosters appear to slow the spread of omicron and are effective in preventing severe illness.”
The county is currently monitoring three clusters, including one restaurant, one social gathering and one construction workplace setting.
Free testing is available at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A list of free testing locations and hours can be found at kauai.gov/COVIDtest.
A free mobile testing van is available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Wednesdays, Kilauea Neighborhood Center on Thursdays, Kalaheo Neighborhood Center on Fridays, Hanalei Neighborhood Center on Saturdays, and the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a on Sundays.
Free drive-thru testing is also available daily at Lihu‘e Pharmacy Group, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are now required. For an appointment, register online at PreventCOVIDHI.com or call 808-635-4968.
A list of testing options can be found at kauai.gov/covidtest.
A free pediatric vaccine for ages 5-11 is also available seven days a week at Walmart and Longs Drugs at the Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e. Walmart accepts walk ins, appointments are recommended at Longs at cvs.com/vaccine. There will also be a keiki walk-in at the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea on Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Kaiser Permanente’s Lihu‘e Clinic accepts walk-ins or advance appointments for vaccinations for everyone 5 and up. Appointments are available at kp.org.
This Saturday, Dec. 18, Ho‘ola Lahui will hold mobile vaccine clinics at their Kapaa and Waimea Medical Clinics, from 9 to 11 a.m. Walk-ins are accepted and no appointments are needed.
All adults are now eligible for booster doses of vaccines.
A list of vaccination locations and hours can be found at kauai.gov/vaccine.
Source: The Garden Island
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