Police Chief Paul Ferreira said Thursday that he was informed tests conducted on more than 50 Hawaii Police Department employees who had contact with a Kona patrol officer infected with the novel coronavirus last week came back negative.
Meanwhile, the patrol officer who tested positive for COVID-19 remains on paid leave and under self-quarantine while being monitored by the state Department of Health. Ferreira said Thursday that the officer, who was asymptomatic when randomly screened at a drive-through testing April 15, remains asymptomatic and family members also have not exhibited symptoms.
The chief said the DOH is investigating and he was informed by staff that the public isn’t at risk. The officer had not had any recent travel history.
The positive test announced Wednesday was the first for sworn personnel of the police department, but the second among its employees. Earlier this month, a civilian employee in the Records Division tested positive.