The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is reporting three confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Sept. 1 involving two employees and a student at Dole Middle School in Kalihi. The Department is awaiting documentation of two potential cases involving Dole Middle employees.
Due to the timing and location on campus of the individuals, the cases do not appear to be connected; however, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an ongoing investigation. While it is not standard practice for HIDOE to publicly disclose pending cases, the two potential cases are being included because they occurred during the same time as multiple confirmed cases on a single campus. Anyone with concerns about these cases is encouraged to contact their health care provider or DOH using these options.
Immediate actions were taken by the school administration to ensure campus safety. Students who were receiving specialized, in-person services were instructed to remain home through Sept. 10; instructional support is being provided by the school. Staff who are potential close contacts were asked to telework. The impacted areas were professionally cleaned and sanitized today, and the campus remains open.
Below is a timeline of the cases impacting Dole Middle and immediate action taken by the school and Department’s COVID-19 Response Team:
Sept. 7 (pending confirmation): The employee was last on campus on Sept. 3. Potential close contacts have been identified and have been/will be notified today. Professional cleaning and disinfection of the impacted areas was completed today.
Sept. 6 (pending confirmation): The employee was last on campus on Aug. 28. Potential close contacts were notified on Sept. 6. Professional cleaning and disinfection were not performed since the same areas were professionally cleaned and disinfected on Sept. 1. Routine cleaning was done by school custodial staff.
Sept. 4 (confirmed): The employee was last on campus on Aug. 28. This individual had minimal contact with staff and no contact with students. A joint notification was sent to all staff and parents on Sept. 4. The impacted areas were professionally cleaned and disinfected on Sept. 1 due to an earlier case.
Sept. 3 (confirmed): The student was last on campus on Aug. 17. A joint notification was sent to all staff and parents on Sept. 4. Due to the timing that had passed since the individual was on campus, routine cleaning was done by school custodial staff.
Sept. 1 (confirmed): This individual was on campus on Aug. 26, had minimal interaction with staff and no interaction with any students. The impacted areas were professionally cleaned and disinfected on Sept. 1, and notification was sent to all staff and parents on the same day.
Aug. 15 (confirmed): The school’s first case involved an employee and was confirmed on Aug. 27. Despite the pending status, the entire campus was professionally cleaned and disinfected on Aug. 15, and notification was sent to all staff and parents on Aug. 15.
HIDOE urges all staff, service providers, parents and students to perform a wellness check prior to arrival at a HIDOE facility or before they have any educational or work-related interaction, bit.ly/HIDOEWellnessCheck.
If an individual is exhibiting symptoms or if they have been directed to quarantine by DOH, they should stay home and contact their health care provider.