5 clusters under investigation in Maui County

41 more inmates, 1 staff member test positive at Hawaii island jail

Five COVID-19 clusters are currently under investigation in Maui County, according to the state Department of Health.

Two clusters of 12 cases were linked to social gatherings, while two clusters of 10 cases were associated with restaurants and one cluster of four cases was identified in an educational setting, according to the department’s weekly cluster report released Thursday.

Oahu had the most active clusters, with three outbreaks of 17 cases connected to restaurants, two clusters of 25 cases tied to social gatherings and one cluster of nine cases in the travel, lodging and tourism industry.

The report cited graduation celebrations and places of worship as locations of recent clusters. In May, the department investigated a cluster of 10 cases associated with a high school post-graduation party on Oahu that drew 15 friends and family members. While the party was held outdoors, most were not vaccinated, and attendees reported that social distancing was not consistently practiced. Eight people who attended later tested positive for the virus, while two secondary cases among household contacts were also identified.

“All the party attendees with COVID19 experienced mild to moderate symptoms, and no one was hospitalized,” the report said. “The two family members who were fully vaccinated tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 and were asymptomatic.”

The department also investigated two clusters of 46 cases in May related to celebrations held at places of worship. Thirty of 67 attendees tested positive, while 16 secondary cases were also identified and linked to people who attended. Three attendees were hospitalized, and one required intensive care.

“None of those in attendance reported being vaccinated, and masks and social distancing were not practiced during the celebrations,” the report said, adding that gatherings should be held outside with social distancing between families to reduce risk.

Hawaii island, meanwhile, continued to deal with an outbreak at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center, where 41 more inmates and one more staff member tested positive, the state Department of Public Safety reported Friday. There are currently 119 active inmate cases and seven active staff cases; 79 inmates and 12 staff have recovered so far. Two staff were hospitalized as of Friday.