Hilo courthouse employee tests positive for COVID-19

An employee at the Hale Kaulike Courthouse in Hilo has tested positive for COVID-19, the Hawaii State Judiciary announced Monday.

The employee, who was asymptomatic, was last at work Friday morning and took a COVID-19 test that afternoon after a close contact outside of work tested positive. A confirmed positive test result was received Sunday, according to the Judiciary.

The employee, who remains asymptomatic, did not work in a courtroom or with the public on Friday. The individual had limited contact with a few coworkers, all of whom wore face masks during their interactions. The Department of Health was consulted and conducted contact tracing.

The areas where this person works are cleaned regularly. Out of an abundance of caution, they received additional disinfecting with electrostatic sprayers.

The courthouse remains open for those with official court business.

The report of a Hilo employee testing positive follows an employee at the Keahuolu Courthouse being diagnosed with COVID-19 on Dec. 8.

The employee was last at work on Dec. 8 and received a confirmed positive test result that same day. The employee also did not work in a courtroom and nor did they have close or frequent contact with coworkers or court users.