HONOLULU — While there are currently no COVID-19 vaccination mandates in Hawai‘i’s public schools, health officials do believe there are risks that exist at school sports’ social events.
“We are looking at what risks exist for different sports, and making sure that people understand what the different risks are,” Dr. Sarah Kemble, acting state epidemiologist of state Department of Health, said last week. “So what is clear as we’ve gained more evidence is outdoor sports or low-risk indoor sports are at higher risk, although proper masking can be put into this medium-risk category. What is most high risk for sports is actually not on the playing field itself.”
Kemble spoke on Friday, at a virtual meeting with the state Senate Committee on Health and the House Committee on Pandemic &Disaster Preparedness.
There are currently nine vaccines required for school entry. And one against the coronavirus is not currently required to attend daily schools.
“We’ve had many questions about vaccine mandates,” Kemble said. “Mandatory vaccinations in schools are determined through a comprehensive process. That includes establishing working groups and public hearings. These are the currently required vaccines that went through that process and are on the list of vaccines required for school entry.”
Both Pfizer and Moderna are currently conducting studies to evaluate safety and immunogenicity amongst children under 12 years old. However, there is no timeline on when the federal Food and Drug Administration will issue an Emergency Use Authorization to either company for younger children.
Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said the department is working with the Department of Education and other schools to continue the layered approach to protective measures in schools.
“In the meantime, vaccination of students 12 and older is our strongest protective measure and all parents are encouraged to have their vaccine-eligible children vaccinated as soon as possible, preferably before the start of the next school year,” Berreman said.
In June, 116 people were hospitalized for COVID, more than 96% of them were not fully vaccinated, DOH Director Libby Char reported.
“We have had about 290 breakthrough cases since we’ve started vaccination,” Char said. “When we talk about breakthrough cases, we’re talking about people who are fully vaccinated who have had both doses of their shot plus 14 days to ramp up the immune system. So they should have the maximum protection against infection.”
The state is trying to vaccinate at least 20,000 residents per week, positioning the state at around eight and a half weeks until 70% herd immunity
“But when you think about it, that’s out of 825,000 people who have completed vaccination,” Char said. “Like a third of one percent of those who have been vaccinated are getting COVID, which is another way of saying that the vaccination really, really works.”
6 new cases Saturday
LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported six new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, July 10.
Saturday’s cases are all residents – five adults and one child. The source of infection for two of the cases is related to mainland travel. The remaining four cases are considered community acquired. All active cases are in isolation, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.
“Although two of today’s cases are in close contacts of previously announced cases, four of the cases have no known source of infection,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “This is concerning and means that COVID-19 is spreading more widely in our community as it is statewide. If you are symptomatic, please isolate yourself immediately and arrange to be tested. If you haven’t already, please protect yourself and our community by getting vaccinated. Vaccines are our most effective tool against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. ”
Today’s cases bring the number of active cases to 30, with one hospitalized, and 458 cumulative cases. Kaua‘i’s cumulative case count includes 414 confirmed locally, three probable, and 41 positive cases diagnosed elsewhere, as they received their pre-travel test results after arriving on island.
Residents aged 18 and older are eligible for any vaccine available at pharmacy, hospital, and clinic locations. The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for use in those 12 years of age and older, and are available at hospitals and pharmacies islandwide.
Vaccination is free and widely available on the island, including on weekends and evenings and pop-up vaccination opportunities at community sites. Most vaccination sites accept walk-ins. For details, visit www.kauai.gov/vaccine. Those who plan to travel can protect themselves and their families by being fully vaccinated before traveling.
Free testing is regularly open at the Convention Hall, weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Testing is also available through your primary care physician, a hospital, or an urgent care clinic. Please contact those providers directly for more information. For more details, visit https://www.kauai.gov/covidtest.
For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.
