The Department of Health (DOH) confirms a newly admitted inmate at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center (HCCC) tested positive for COVID-19.  Yesterday, the Department of Public Safety (PSD) was notified that the new inmate came in contact with someone prior to entry who was positive for COVID-19.  The inmate was medically isolated while PSD awaited the results of confirmatory testing by the DOH State Laboratories Division on Oahu. The DOH is conducting contact tracing. PSD staff were notified and encouraged to contact their health care providers if they have questions about possible exposure.

“The Hawaii Community Correctional Center immediately enacted their pandemic protocol to contain this one case. All of the credit goes to the HCCC security and medical staff who have worked very hard to safeguard the staff and inmates and keep the virus from spreading within the facility,” said Maria Cook, Deputy Director for Administration/Acting Director.

On Sept. 16, Cook announced a plan to mass test all inmates at all correctional facilities in the state.  There has been no update on the schedule, and at this point it’s not clear when the inmates on Hawaii Island at HCCC (either of its two locations) or at Kulani Correctional Facility will be tested.