2 students test positive for COVID-19

Two students at Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino in Kealakekua recently tested positive for COVID-19, days after the K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school reopened for limited in-person learning.

In a letter tendered Tuesday to students, parents and guardians, Principal Makala Paakaula said she was made aware of the positive test results. Both students were asymptomatic and tested positive Monday, the letter said, citing state Department of Health School Health Section Administrator Jennifer Ryan. One of the students was last on the campus Oct. 27 and the other on Oct. 29.

“These cases are connected and within the same household. We are in contact with the family and have sent our aloha and hope for a speedy recovery,” reads the letter.

According to the school’s online calendar, Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino, which enrolled 253 students for the 2020-21 school year, began its first phase of reopening face-to-face learning last week, with half-day classes starting Oct. 27 for pupils identified as being vulnerable.

Ryan, according to Paakaula’s letter, indicated there was no risk of exposure from the two students to staff and other students because the pupils would not have become infectious until Oct. 31, two days prior to testing positive for COVID-19. Further, no school-based close contacts were identified.

Though health officials indicated no risk of exposure, Paakaula said the school was taking “extra layers of precaution” including notifying any staff members who could still be deemed a possible close contact of the students, contracting a professional cleaner to clean and sanitize “impacted areas” of the school and directing all teachers and assistants to continue telework and all casual employees to remain on no-work status until Monday, Nov. 9.