Hawaii health officials: No public threat from COVID-19 cases found in restaurant on Big Island

There are currently three McDonald’s branches in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This one is located along Makala Boulevard. (Screenshot footage by Charmaine Cirera, EBC Hawaii Bureau)

By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii Bureau

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (Eagle News) – Hawaii’s State Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, April 14, began investigating on a limited, localized community spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) among employees at a food establishment in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. DOH Director Dr. Bruce Anderson identified the business as a McDonald’s restaurant.

The restaurant, like many food establishments, had previously implemented social distancing measures to protect customers and prevent exposure prior to an employee testing positive.

The establishment has since closed its operation and performed enhanced cleaning. The 12 employees who have tested positive are already in isolation while exposed employees without symptoms are self-quarantined at home. Two individuals are both employees and live in the same house.

Based on findings so far, DOH does not believe this outbreak poses a risk to the general public. Additionally, the department is continuing to work with the restaurant to ensure all possible precautions are being taken to prevent further spread of disease.

Meanwhile, the restaurant in question has been taking necessary physical distancing measures to protect its customers.

Out of the total 517 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hawaii, 41 are on the Big Island and no one there has died from the disease.

Map showing Hawaii’s four counties and where the confirmed COVID-19 patients reside. Hawaii County aka Big Island (bottom right) shows the highest concentration in Kailua-Kona on the western side. (Courtesy Hawaii Department of Health)

 

(Eagle News Service)