DPS Reports No New Positive COVID Tests Among Big Island Inmates

The state Department of Public Safety again reported no new positive COVID-19 test results among inmates at the Big Island’s two correctional facilities in Hilo.

According to a DPS news release Thursday, March 3, there were 46 inmate test results in a batch recently administered at Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center, all of which came back negative. At Kulani Correctional Facility, all of the tests in a batch of six came back negative for inmate testing and there also were 12 negative staff test results.

COVID testing is continuously being conducted in state prisons and jails as well as in the contracted Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz.

The latest testing updates for correctional facilities are as follows:

• Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center: 46 negative inmate test results. One employee has recovered.
• Kulani Correctional Facility: Six negative inmate test results and 12 negative staff test results.
• O‘ahu Community Correctional Center: 175 negative inmate test results.
• Halawa Correctional Facility (O‘ahu): 24 negative inmate test results.
• Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center: Three negative inmate test results.

The Department of Public Safety continues to encourage all staff and inmates to voluntarily get tested and receive the COVID vaccine.

For more detailed inmate testing data, the department’s Pandemic Plan and information about response efforts made to safeguard inmates, staff and the public, visit the DPS dedicated COVID-19 webpage.