33 new COVID-19 cases Saturday

LIHU‘E — The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced 33 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday — 10 children and 23 adults, all considered community-acquired.

Twenty-two of the community-acquired infections are close contacts of previously announced cases or are tied to an active clusters. The remaining 11 community-acquired cases have no known source of infection, including two 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 222, with seven hospitalized, and 2,248 cumulative cases.

Most reported cases are in residents who were infected in the community. Everyone, vaccinated or not, must follow Hawai‘i’s indoor mask requirements and gathering-size limits.

Those planning to travel are encouraged to be vaccinated before they go, and get tested three to five days after returning to Kaua‘i.

Free testing and free vaccines are available across the island seven days a week.

Vaccination remains the most important action anyone can take to slow and prevent the spread of disease on the island. Vaccinations are available to anyone 12 and older, and are free, safe and effective, the DOH said.

For details on vaccination sites, dates and times, see kauai.gov/vaccine.

The mobile-testing van is available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a. Free drive-up testing is available daily at Lihu‘e Pharmacy Group near the Puhi Safeway from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. For an appointment, register online at PreventCOVIDHI.com or call 808-635-4968.

Testing is available through primary-care physicians, hospitals and urgent-care clinics. For more details, visit kauai.gov/covidtest.