2 COVID workplace outbreaks in Oahu and Maui resulted in nearly 40 infections

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As Hawaii reports outbreaks of COVID in workplaces, the state Department of Health has urged companies to offer paid sick leave to employees who must self-quarantine.

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

In Oahu, the Department of Health investigated a cluster of 31 cases of COVID-19 linked to a transportation service.

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

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

Investigators said the company did not handle quarantining workers when someone fell ill, causing the virus to spread.

The state also investigated another cluster in an industrial work environment in Maui that led to seven COVID infections.

Officials said five employees, who were not vaccinated, tested positive for COVID. This led to two family cases in which children not eligible for the vaccine were infected. No one was hospitalized.

The DOH said an employee showed up for work, showing symptoms for four days. The worker then rides in the same truck with other employees. Three other workers also continued to work despite being contagious.

While the company needed masks and work areas disinfected every day, officials said poor ventilation in small spaces and in vehicles resulted in additional transmission.

To prevent the virus from spreading further at work, authorities have urged employers to offer paid sick leave, so employees do not come to work when they are contagious or when quarantined.

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

Among these mitigation strategies, the state also encouraged employers to offer vaccination incentives to avoid staff shortages.

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