Moloka‘i Resident Hospitalized on O‘ahu with COVID-19

Molokaʻi Resident Being Treated on Oʻahu for COVID-19:

The County of Maui has been notified that a test result for a Molokaʻi resident has returned positive.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino issued a statement this evening saying the adult male had possible travel history and is currently hospitalized on Oʻahu.

“The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is currently investigating the matter and any close contacts made by the individual,” said Mayor Victorino.

“I want to let our Molokaʻi residents know that my primary focus and concern continues to be for their health and safety. We will do everything we can to support our Molokaʻi community and ensure they receive essential supplies and services. I ask everyone to stay home, practice social distancing and treat each other with aloha during this uncertain time,” said Mayor Victorino.

Due to the newly confirmed COVID-19 case in the Molokaʻi community, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced that it will suspend Grab-and-Go meal service at Molokaiʻi High School. “We will notify the community when service is able to resume. The confirmed case does not directly involve someone in the school community; however, we have made this decision out of an abundance of caution,” DOE officials said.

Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaho‘olawe) and Representative Lynn DeCoite (D-East Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe and Molokini) issued the following statements this evening after the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19 on the island of Moloka‘i:

“This positive test result is deeply concerning to the Molokaʻi community and we are working with Molokaʻi General Hospital to conduct drive-thru screenings for people who came into contact with this person,” said Senator English.

“The person who tested positive for COVID-19 traveled to Las Vegas and returned to Moloka‘i on March 17,” said Representative DeCoite. “The patient is now being treated on O‘ahu. This reminds us of how important it is to follow the travel quarantine order and self-distancing recommendations, to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus to your friends and loved ones.”

Friendly Market Center CEO Kyle Okimoto also added, “We have temporarily closed the market and will sanitize it before reopening. Our family has served the Moloka‘i community for three years and we will continue to support our Moloka‘i ‘ohana and work together to slow the virus from spreading on our island.”

Sen. English said, “Friendly Market Center is the main grocery store on the island, and we are coordinating with the owners to have them reopen as soon as possible to provide this critical service to the community.”