DPS confirms first COVID-19 positive inmate

The state Department of Public Safety said Friday it was notified that a new inmate housed at the Oahu Community Correctional Center tested positive for COVID-19.

It is the first confirmed inmate case within the Department of Public Safety. The inmate was brought to Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) on Monday and placed in a mandatory 14-day intake quarantine, as is procedure for all new inmates. The inmate was tested on Tuesday, after the department learned of possible exposure to COVID-19 prior to entry.

“The facility acted quickly to implement the Department’s COVID-19 pandemic protocol for correctional facilities, in an effort to mitigate any potential spread of the virus,” said Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda. “Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure all DOH and CDC guidelines are followed in our facilities, so we can maintain the health and welfare of our staff and the incarcerated population.”

In unrelated cases, one adult correctional officer at the Halawa Correctional Facility on Oahu and two adult correctional officers at the Waiawa Correctional Facility on Oahu have reported positive COVID-19 test results. The officers tested positive Tuesday and Thurdsay.

“DOH is conducting contact tracing and we will follow through with implementing their guidance and directives. Thankfully, the risk to other employees and inmates is believed to be minimal because all staff regularly practice the necessary safety and sanitation precautions called for in their facilities Pandemic Control Plan, all of which have been ingrained in everyone over the past few months,” said Espinda.