HONOLULU — Hawaii reported a record 355 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, including 86 cases at the state’s largest jail.
HONOLULU — Hawaii reported a record 355 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, including 86 cases at the state’s largest jail.
The sharp increase comes as the coronavirus has been rapidly spreading on Oahu, the state’s population center. The previous daily record was 231 new cases, reported on Saturday.
The Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center said health investigators have identified at least 116 people in the cluster at the Oahu Community Correctional Center, including 92 inmates and 24 staff members.
The state Department of Public Safety, which operates the state’s jails and prisons, has arranged for mass testing at the Oahu jail. The jail houses about 830 inmates.
All court transports from Oahu correctional facilities will be suspended through Friday. Hearings will be held by video to the extent possible.
So far, no inmates at other Hawaii correctional facilities have tested positive, according to the public safety department. Two staff members at Waiawa Correctional Facility and one staff member at Halawa Correctional Facility have tested positive.
