LIHU‘E — The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported Kaua‘i’s ninth fatality from COVID-19, and announced 43 new COVID-19 cases Saturday.
The fatality was a female Kaua‘i resident in her 70s who was hospitalized.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce another death from COVID-19, and we extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of this individual,” said Mayor Derek Kawakami.
“As a community, we must come together to get through this, and we’re asking everyone to do their part to keep Kaua‘i healthy and safe, especially for our most vulnerable.”
Saturday’s cases include two visitors and 41 residents. Of the 43 cases, 16 are children and 27 are adults. Three of the cases are related to travel — one mainland and two interisland. The remaining 40 new cases are considered community-acquired.
Thirty-six of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or are tied to an active cluster. The remaining four community-acquired cases have no known source of infection, including two cases whom investigators have been unable to reach after repeated attempts or who have refused to provide information.
Active cases are directed to isolate, and close contacts are being identified, offered testing and directed to quarantine. Investigations are ongoing.
Saturday’s cases bring the number of active cases to 324, with three hospitalized, and 1,591 cumulative cases.
Following are links to home-isolation/quarantine guidelines from DOH:
• hawaiicovid19.com/testing-isolation-quarantine/;
• hawaiicovid19.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Summary-Guidance-for-COVID-19-Cases-and-Contacts.pdf;
• health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/files/2020/04/What-To-Do-If-You-Have-Been-Tested-For-COVID19_040120.pdf.
For more details on testing, see kauai.gov/covidtest.
For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit kauai.gov/COVID-19.
