With 49 reported COVID-19 cases in Kona over the last 28 days, officials warn the community to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of the pandemic.
“COVID is still very much a threat to our community. It is not the time to let our guard down,” said Kona Community Hospital CEO James Y. Lee. “The beaches are reopening, and that’s a concern. We strongly encourage our staff and community to remain vigilant and continue practicing safety precautions at work and at play.”
As of Friday, three COVID-positive patients remain in the West Hawaii hospital, with two in the ICU and one on a ventilator.
Mayor Harry Kim has responded to the spike in cases by setting up free drive-through COVID-19 testing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.
No insurance is necessary to be tested, but the county asks those who have an insurance to bring it with them. There is no co-pay for individuals being tested.
Meanwhile, a cluster of cases was confirmed by the University of the Nations Kona (UofNK). The school said late Thursday nine cases of COVID-19 had cropped up at the Kailua-Kona campus.
UofNK said there were five “locally contracted” cases among “long term residential staff” and four “travel related cases.”
“Contact tracing is showing that cases amongst long term residential staff were contracted from the ongoing community cases in Kailua-Kona,” a statement from UofNK reads regarding the “locally contracted cases.” “We are in very close and regular contact with the DoH, following all state guidelines and protocols.”
In confirming four additional “travel related cases,” UofNK stated “these cases were isolated immediately, contact tracing performed, and no further spread has occurred.” The school added that all incoming personnel are being “rapid tested” and immediately placed in state-mandated quarantine.
The school said it is following CDC guidelines for colleges and universities and that the school’s operating procedures regarding COVID-19 were submitted to the state Department of Health in August.
“The UofNK places the utmost importance on the safety and care of our Kona community. We are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone,” the statement reads.
West Hawaii Today is working to confirm reports of other clusters of COVID-19 cases reported in the Kailua-Kona. The Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center has declined to provide information about rumors of cases connected to a big-box store in the area.
“We don’t disclose individual names of clusters unless we deem it a threat to public health. Many times transmission isn’t confirmed that it is occurring within the establishment, but rather cases occur in workers who were exposed elsewhere,” the center told the newspaper this week.
The retailer, reached Friday, said it would provide a statement, but had not done so as of press-time. The company said if a cluster existed it would shut down the store for a complete cleaning.
Among the 49 cases with onset during the past 28 days on Hawaii Island were 16 new cases announced on Friday. Hawaii Island has now seen 752 cases of the novel coronavirus since the end of February.
As of noon Friday, 134 cases of the 752 cases on Hawaii Island were considered “active.” An active case is defined as an individual who has tested positive for the coronavirus and is being monitored by the Department of Health. Forty-two island residents have required hospitalization.
Hawaii County Civil Defense reported no new deaths on Hawaii Island Friday. To date, 29 Hawaii Island residents, including 27 residents of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, have died from the novel coronavirus. The state has yet to confirm the last 24 deaths.
