No additional positive tests cropped up after a West Hawaii battalion chief tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month
A total of five personnel were sidelined after the battalion chief stationed at the Waikoloa Fire Station reported the positive test result to Hawaii Fire Department command on Aug. 3. The battalion chief was asymptomatic at the time of the test, which was administered Aug. 1 in compliance with pre- and post-travel requirements to Oahu. The travel was unrelated to county work.
After the fire department was notified about the positive result, the entire Waikoloa Fire Station was disinfected. In addition to the battalion chief, four personnel whom he had contact with went into self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.
Before being permitted to return to work, each of the five personnel had to test negative for COVID-19 two times. As of Wednesday, all personnel had tested negative, said Hawaii Fire Department Chief Darren Rosario.
Three of the personnel returned to work Wednesday while the other two are expected to complete the state Department of Health quarantine period today.
“None of our personnel, inclusive of the original member testing positive, had any signs or symptoms of illness during this whole period,” Rosario said Wednesday. “Operations were not affected, as the positions were filled by movements among stations or recall of off-duty personnel.”
The department boasts approximately 370 personnel serving out of 21 stations.
Community spread of the coronavirus, particularly on Oahu, continues to be the primary cause of new infections, the Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center said in a press release.
“The important factor to keep in mind is, community-associated infections continue to be the responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases in the past week and a half,” said state Health Director Bruce Anderson. “The virus is transmitted though droplets, and that’s why wearing masks and distancing is so important. We must all continue these and other safe practices.”
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.