Kona Community Hospital (KCH) has confirmed that on Friday, an employee was positively diagnosed with COVID-19. No additional employees have tested positive so far. The employee is quarantined at home.

“Per hospital protocols, nursing is in the process of tracking and testing any employees who may have been in contact with the staff member,” said Interim Chief Nurse Officer Stephanie Irwin, RN, MSN.

In Gov. Ige’s briefing Monday afternoon, State Health Director Bruce Anderson said the State DOH is looking at several others who have been in contact  with that employee and have symptoms, but nobody at this time has tested positive.  He said he expects we will be hearing more about this  situation within the next couple of weeks.  He also said he presumed the hospital had been in contact with any patients  who may have been close to that employee.

The Big Island has 102 cumulative cases, with 10 active cases.

The Kona Community Hospital’s press release said “the hospital’s Incident Command team is considering appropriate action related to employee testing.”