A civilian who works in the Hawaii Police Department Records Division tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, Chief Paul Ferreira confirmed Tuesday.
Ferreira told the Tribune-Herald the employee has been on leave since March 25.
“All reports that we have been getting is that the individual did not contract the virus at the job site,” Ferreira said. “The employee’s regular duties within the Records Division also does not include contact with the public.”
Ferreira said the employee, who was not identified because of medical privacy issues, was confirmed positive last week.
“Of course, there was anxiety within the division,” Ferreira said. “No other employees were sent to be tested because the time period in which the affected employee came into close contact with other employees was outside of the (Department of Health) recommended criteria and guidelines for testing.
“Some employees, after learning of the confirmed positive test, chose to get screened and tested on their own, of which results are pending.”
Ferreira said the Records Division “is still fully operational with the same previous restrictions in place limiting face-to-face contacts with the public.”
Records Division also processes firearms permit applications, and that’s being done “by appointment only, no over-the-counter contacts for requests for (arrest) reports, that kind of thing.”
Ferreira said he’s asking those who have appointments to register firearms to wear a mask, and added that the employees who process the applications are wearing masks also.
As for the front officers, who are among the first responders on the front line of the pandemic, Ferreira said, “None of my uniformed officers, that I know of, to this day have tested positive.”
At least three Honolulu Police Department officers and two Honolulu firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
