The county said today a firefighter stationed at the Waikoloa Fire Station has tested positive for COVID-19.
The county said today a firefighter stationed at the Waikoloa Fire Station has tested positive for COVID-19.
A total of five personnel are currently self-quarantined as a precaution. All are asymptomatic.
The firefighter, a battalion chief assigned to the station’s 2nd Battalion, also remains asymptomatic. He remains in isolation, monitored by the Department of Health.
He took the COVID-19 test Saturday in compliance with travel requirements to Oahu. On Monday, he received the positive test result, and notified command. After notification of the positive result, the Fire Department disinfected the entire station.
Fire Chief Darren Rosario assures the community that emergency responses will not be affected.
“All Fire personnel considered possible contacts will follow Department protocols and will receive two COVID-19 tests over the course of this week and next week. They must receive negative tests in order to return to work …,” Rosario said in a written statement.
The department offered separate living quarters at designated rentals for quarantined personnel, but all chose to self-quarantine at home. The Department’s Emergency Medical Services Bureau provided care packages including masks, disinfecting products, and hand sanitizers for the affected personnel’s homes.
