The state Department of Public Safety said Thursday that COVID-19 tests of all 164 inmates at Kulani Correctional Facility have all returned negative.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with my staff for the amazing job they are doing executing the pandemic plan daily, to keep our inmate population free of COVID,” said Wanda Craig, Kulani’s warden, in a statement. “I commend all of my security, medical and civilian staff for their hard work and effort, and the team who coordinated the testing for the smooth implementation and quick completion of the testing plan.”
Kulani is a minimum security prison on the slopes of Mauna Loa, about 20 miles southeast of Hilo.
According to DPS, tests of all inmates at Halawa Correctional Facility, a medium security prison on Oahu, also yielded negative results.
A Halawa staffer previously tested positive but has recovered, according to DPS.
The department is working with the state Department of Health and the Hawaii National Guard to coordinate testing of all inmates and staff at all state-operated prisons and jails.
Mass testing has yet to be done at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo. One inmate at the jail tested positive for the virus, is still active and is being isolated, DPS said.
According to DPS, the outbreak at the Oahu Community Correctional Center is under control, with no new positive inmate or staff tests and no inmates currently hospitalized.
More than 96% of all inmates who tested positive at OCCC recovered, DPS said, and cases listed as recovered outnumber active cases at the Oahu jail.
