2 COVID outbreaks in workplaces on Oahu, Maui resulted in nearly 40 infections

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With Hawaii reporting COVID outbreaks in workplaces, the state’s Department of Health has urged companies to offer quarantined employees paid sick leave.

In its latest cluster report, Thursday, the state said two workplace outbreaks resulted in nearly 40 infections among employees and close contacts.

On Oahu, the Department of Health investigated a group of 31 COVID-19 cases related to a transportation service.

Officials said the company reported that 13 employees tested positive and two employees with symptoms got the virus from infected workers. Of the 15 employees with COVID, only one was fully vaccinated and one was partially vaccinated.

DOH said this outbreak resulted in 16 infections in household members – none were vaccinated. One person was hospitalized.

Investigators said the company did not organize quarantine for workers if someone got sick and the virus spread.

The state also examined another cluster in an industrial work environment on Maui that resulted in seven COVID infections.

Officials said five unvaccinated employees tested positive for COVID. This resulted in two household cases where children who were not eligible for the vaccine were infected. Nobody was admitted to the hospital.

DOH said an employee showed up for work after showing symptoms for four days. The worker then drives in the same truck with other employees. Three other workers continued to work during the infection.

While the business required masks and disinfected work areas on a daily basis, officials said poor ventilation in small rooms and in vehicles led to further transmission.

To prevent the virus from spreading further in the workplace, officials urged employers to offer paid sick days so employees don’t come to work while infected or in quarantine.

The state said jobs should also enforce 10 days of isolation for employees with COVID and 10 days of quarantine for close contacts.

Under these containment strategies, the state also encouraged employers to incentivize vaccinations to avoid staff shortages.

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