LIHU‘E — A 70-year-old Kaua‘i man has died of COVID-19 and local case numbers have more than doubled, Mayor Derek Kawakami reported Thursday.
The deceased, who Kawakami did not identify, had been hospitalized.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family,” the mayor said during the latest weekly county briefing, held on April 28.
“This is a somber reminder that while we go back to our daily lives, COVID is still here,” Kawakami continued. “We each must make choices that are best for our families, like getting a booster and/or wearing a mask in a crowded indoor space. Mahalo for continuing to respect one another, and our individual choice.”
The county’s average daily case count is now 25, compared to last week’s average of 10 new cases per day.
The actual number of new cases was likely much higher during both weeks, as only laboratory-confirmed cases are counted by the Hawai‘i Department of Health. Results from home test kits are not included.
Kaua‘i’s test positivity rate, or the percentage of all tests reported that are positive, is now almost double the statewide positivity rate of 9.1%.
“Our test positivity rate is now nearly 17% – up from 12% last week,” Kamakami said. “Nationally, the CDC (federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that cases rose 25% across the country last week.”
The mayor pointed to new, highly-contagious coronavirus subvariants as likely contributors to the rise in cases.
Public Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency data indicates three individuals are now hospitalized on Kaua‘i due to COVID-19. One individual is reported to be on a ventilator.
Zero coronavirus-related hospitalizations or ventilations on Kaua‘i were reported last week.
It was not immediately clear if the fatality reported by officials is the ventilated individual reported by HIEMA.
Fifty-one individuals are now hospitalized statewide, up from 36 the week before.
Distribution announcement
The County’s third round of free, home test kits will be distributed beginning Monday, May 2.
The distribution schedule is as follows:
Monday, May 2: Kekaha Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m., and Waimea Neighborhood Center, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3: Hanalei Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m., and Kilauea Neighborhood Center, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4: Hanapepe Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m., and Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, 1 pm.
Thursday, May 5: Anahola Clubhouse, 9 a.m., and Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex, 1 p.m.
Friday, May 6: Koloa Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m., and Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center, 1 p.m.
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Scott Yunker, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
