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UHMC employee tests positive for COVID-19

An employee at the University of Hawaii Maui College and a graduate student at UH Manoa have tested positive for COVID-19, UH President David Lassner said Thursday.

In a letter to the UH community, Lassner said that the UHMC employee was last on campus briefly on Monday to pick up some personal items. The employee practiced safe social distancing with the handful of employees that they came into contact with and did not come into contact with students, Lassner said.

Before Monday, the person was last on campus on March 19, the week of spring break, when classes were out.

The UH Manoa graduate student, meanwhile, was last on campus on March 14, the weekend spring break started, and was rarely on campus this semester, Lassner said. He added that it was not known whether the student was infectious that day. While more than 14 days — the potential incubation period for COVID-19 — have passed, the notice is being issued out of an abundance of caution, Lassner said.

“As the number of reported positive cases in Hawaii increases, it has been inevitable that members of our community would eventually test positive,” Lassner said.

He added that “both are in good condition, in isolation at home and in regular contact with health care providers.”

The state Department of Health is aware of both cases and is working with UH and the two people to reach anyone who may be at risk for close contact. Anyone who is notified should followed DOH guidance. If they become ill, they should seek medical attention, contact DOH and isolate themselves.

Lassner said the risk of transmission to the general UH community is low, especially since the 10-campus system has moved to online courses, asked employees to work from home and closed all campuses to the public.

For UH-related COVID-19 updates, visit www.hawaii.edu/emergency/important-health-information-novel-coronavirus/.

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