(Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi) - Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaho‘olawe) and Representative Lynn DeCoite (D-East Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe and Molokini) issued the following statements this evening after the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19 on the island of Moloka‘i:
“This positive test result is deeply concerning to the Molokaʻi community and we are working with Molokaʻi General Hospital to conduct drive-thru screenings for people who came into contact with this person,” said Senator English. “Friendly Market Center is the main grocery store on the island, and we are coordinating with the owners to have them reopen as soon as possible to provide this critical service to the community.”
“The person who tested positive for COVID-19 traveled to Las Vegas and returned to Moloka‘i on March 17,” said Representative DeCoite. “The patient is now being treated on O‘ahu. This reminds us of how important it is to follow the travel quarantine order and self-distancing recommendations, to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus to your friends and loved ones.”
Friendly Market Center CEO Kyle Okimoto also added, “We have temporarily closed the market and will sanitize it before reopening. Our family has served the Moloka‘i community for three years and we will continue to support our Moloka‘i ‘ohana and work together to slow the virus from spreading on our island.”