Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth has released a statement regarding the Department of Public Safety’s (PSD) newly released COVID-19 positive case counts at the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center in Hilo.

Below is Mayor Roth’s full statement:

“We understand that eight employees at the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center (HCCC) with direct exposure to the inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. With those employees being from and very much a part of our communities here on Hawaiʻi Island, we are asking our residents to remain cautious. What is happening at HCCC is a very real and stark reminder of how fast the virus can spread in such a short amount of time. To best keep our friends, families, and loved ones safe, we would like to encourage our residents to get vaccinated and continue practicing our social distancing measures. The Department of Public Safety, the Department of Health, and our Civil Defense Administration are working diligently to stop the spread and will be contacting residents who may be considered close contacts. In the meantime, stay safe, remain cautious, and be mindful of those around you. We are very close to beating this virus and returning to normalcy, but we must do all we can to prevent ourselves from tripping at the finish line.”