Couple With COVID-19 on Kaua‘i had Traveled to Maui, Maui Mayor Issues Statement

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino released a statement regarding the two presumptive positive COVID-19 cases on Kauaʻi. The couple who tested positive had become symptomatic while on Maui and had sought urgent care while here.

“We are working very closely with the Hawaiʻi Health Department and our local Maui District Health Office, who are investigating this matter thoroughly and tracing these visitors’ steps on our island. The State DOH is leading this investigation and will provide further information. We want to ask the public to remain calm and stay informed through official sources, including the Governor’s Office, DOH and County of Maui,” said Mayor Victorino.

The two visitors had caught a direct flight to Maui aboard United Airlines on March 2 and stayed in Lahaina, Maui from March 2-8, 2020. They then caught a flight from Maui to Kauaʻi aboard Hawaiian Airlines Flight 149, where they tested positive last night, Friday, March 13, 2020. The couple informed health care professionals on Kauaʻi that they had a close contact with an individual that was COVID-19 positive while on the mainland before arrival in Hawaiʻi.  It is unclear when they had become aware of the positive status of their mainland close contact.

Authorities have since said the couple is originally from Indiana.

At this time, at least three healthcare workers (one on Kauaʻi and two on Maui) have been excluded from work because of possible exposure.

Governor David Ige, Health Director Bruce Anderson and State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park addressed the presumptive positive test results for COVID-19 in a press conference this morning.

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Photo: Mayor Michael Victorino. Background image by Gaylord Paul Garcia.