A additional person associated with a pair of McDonald’s restaurants in Kailua-Kona has tested positive for COVID-19, state health officials announced Thursday afternoon.
The total number of clustered cases associated with McDonald’s locations at Kona Commons and inside the Kona Walmart now stands at 13.
The positive test result announced Thursday was from an employee at the McDonald’s location inside the Kona Walmart, according to the Department of Health.
The department said it is continuing to monitor all employees and family members who remain in isolation or quarantine. To date, eight staff members and five family members have tested positive. The family members were exposed to two staff members.
“There is low risk to the public, as only workers or their family members were identified as close contacts,” health officials said Thursday afternoon. The department has repeatedly stated the Food and Drug Administration thus far found no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19, but has not responded to questions about the wearing of personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, during the exchange of money.
Both locations remain closed while the McDonald’s on Kuakini Highway remains open to drive-through customers.
Meanwhile Thursday, 11 new cases of COVID-19 were reported across the state, bringing the total number of cases to 541.
Of the new cases announced Thursday on Maui and Oahu, 10 were adults and one was a minor. All but one were Hawaii residents, according to the Department of Health.
No new cases were reported on Hawaii Island Thursday, leaving the island’s total case count at 41, according to the department. Thirty of the 41 cases have been released from isolation.
The new positive case associated with the McDonald’s restaurant announced Thursday afternoon will likely be reflected in Friday’s count, health officials said.
