Virus outbreak at Maui church leads to at least 55 cases

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HONOLULU — A coronavirus outbreak tied to a church in Maui has resulted in at least 55 positive cases, according to the state Department of Health.

State health officials asked anyone who attended events at King’s Cathedral in Kahului to get tested for the coronavirus, Hawaii News Now reported Wednesday.

Officials also asked the church to cancel all its upcoming in-person events until the outbreak is over, but said the church has so far been unwilling to comply.

A message left Thursday with the church seeking comment was not immediately returned.

The first virus cases associated with the church began on March 7, the outbreak has affected people from ages 10 to 77 and the cluster has nearly doubled over the last week and a half or so.

The virus also spread from the church to a school and a workplace and officials are concerned that spillover cases might threaten the general population.