The Hawaii Department of Public Safety (PSD) was notified that a newly admitted inmate at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center (HCCC) came in contact with someone prior to entry who was positive for COVID-19. The presumptive positive inmate was medically isolated and tested.
PSD is awaiting the results of confirmatory testing by the Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division on Oahu.
The DOH is aware of the presumptive positive inmate and is conducting contact tracing. PSD staff were notified and encouraged to contact their health care providers if they have questions about possible exposure.
The PSD Health Care Division is working with the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to conduct mass testing for COVID-19 at all correctional facilities statewide.
All Waiawa Correctional Facility inmates tested were negative. One employee tested positive. DOH is conducting contact tracing and the employee has been instructed to self-isolate. All other employees tested were negative.
The order of the facilities next in line for testing is still being worked out. PSD is also working with DOH and the Hawaii National Guard to coordinate the testing of correctional officers and staff.
PSD staff continue to practice recommended precautions for the health and safety of the public, our staff and the inmates under our supervision including the use of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). All facilities have been issued PPE and routinely keep an inventory of PPE for continuous distribution to staff as recommended in the Pandemic Plan. Each employee has been issued several face masks. Face shields have been issued to all facilities for distribution to staff as added protection. Staff have access to gloves and other protective supplies, available all over the facility.
For more information on PSD’s planning and response to COVID-19, inmate testing data, and information detailing the efforts made to safeguard the inmates, staff and public, visit our webpage at: http://dps.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-resources/