COVID-19 Cluster at Maui Jail Now Includes 8 Positive Inmates

The COVID-19 cluster at the Maui Community Correctional Center now includes eight confirmed positive cases. There are 15 inmates in medical isolation, and an additional 76 inmates on quarantine status as they undergo testing.

The Department of Public Safety reports that a continuous mass testing effort is underway at the Maui facility. 

According to the PSD, the Maui jail is working closely with the Maui District Health Office, the Department of Health and the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard to implement mass testing at the facility.

“Unfortunately, the virus has made its way into the Maui jail. The MCCC security and medical staff were prepared and are working around the clock to safeguard the staff and inmates and mitigate spread of the virus, but COVID-19 has created a tremendous amount of strain on our overcrowded facilities. PSD has expressed concern, in many forums, about the difficulty in adequately spacing inmates and we will continue to do everything we can to alleviate the strain on the overcrowded facilities. This includes continued collaboration with our criminal justice counterparts as they work on ways to help us safely reduce the pre-trial population,” said Max Otani, PSD Director in a department press release.

In addition to the inmate population report, there are two adult corrections officers on a precautionary 14-day quarantine due to possible exposure. Both were advised to get tested and to see their private personal care providers for further evaluation if needed. No MCCC staff have reported having the virus. 

The department reports that staff assigned to the medical isolation and quarantine housing units have access to full personal protective equipment and “all facility staff are regularly reminded to practice CDC/DOH health safety measures, including wearing a face covering, frequent hand washing, social distancing, sanitizing common spaces frequently and practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission.”