Kaua‘i reports fourth COVID-19-related fatality, 39 new cases

LIHU‘E — Friday, the state’s Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office recorded the county’s fourth COVID-19-related fatality and announced 39 new cases.

The fatality was a male Kaua‘i resident in his 70s who was hospitalized on Kaua‘i and had underlying health conditions.

“We are sad to report the island’s fourth fatality from COVID-19, and we extend our sincerest warmth and prayers to the family, friends, and loved ones for this tragic loss,” Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami said in a release.

Friday’s cases consist of three visitors and 36 residents.

Of the 39 cases, 10 are children and 29 are adults.

Seven of the cases are related to mainland travel. The remaining 32 cases are considered community-acquired. Twenty-six of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or are tied to one of our active clusters. The remaining six community-acquired cases 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.

“Please wear a mask whenever you are indoors in public places, or in crowded outdoor settings,” said Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman. “If you are sick, please stay home and arrange to get tested. If you have traveled recently, please consider getting tested. Mask and testing are important whether or not you have been vaccinated. And of course, if you have not yet been vaccinated I hope you will consider doing so.”

On Kaua‘i, booster dose vaccinations are walk-in only for the following on Saturday, one at Wilcox Medical Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; and the other at Hanalei Neighborhood Center from noon to 3 p.m.

Friday’s cases bring the number of active cases to 215, with two hospitalized, and 880 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 826 confirmed locally, eight probable, and 46 positive cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.
Source: The Garden Island