PRESS RELEASE:
From King’s Cathedral, March 31, 2021
King's Cathedral and Chapels in Maui County is made up of 24 congregations that meet at various venues throughout the week. Besides the congregations in Maui County, it has congregations throughout the rest of the State of Hawaii, on the Big island, Kauai and Oahu, along with congregations in 17 states on the mainland and in 17 Nations. God has been very gracious to us for over a year. We have had very few cases of covid among the people who attend the congregations in Maui County. Just recently as tourism has come alive, for which we are very thankful, we have noted a rise of covid among our congregants. Since they represent people from every walk of life, it is hard to determine even with tracing what relationships actually spread the covid.
Currently there are 33 active cases among the thousands that attend King's Cathedral and Chapels in Maui County. We have always been concerned about the health of the people of Maui County and we believe in God's desire and power to heal people. However, because of our concern and the concern our county health department we have taken steps to limit the spread of covid. First we have cancelled Hawaii's largest Easter Egg Hunts which we have hosted for 37 years and blessed over 10,000 to 20,000 people each year, and instead will this year give each child a special Easter basket in attendance at the Easter Sunday morning services at the Cathedral. Secondly we have postponed the Easter production, Indestructible Life, till April 25 and 26. Thirdly, our church from the beginning of covid has been deeply concerned about the welfare of those who worship with us and therefore have provided opportunity for people to participate in person at one of our many venues as well as in the safety of their home through our streaming service and also through our drive in services where people can participate in worship while being in their car. The Cathedral abides by the cdc guidelines with congregants wearing masks, pews separated six feet apart, facilities sanitized, and special check in procedures for children and youth. As an essential institution we are thankful that during this challenging time we can continue to be a beacon of faith, hope and love to the people of Maui County and everywhere our church is planted.
Related: King’s Cathedral Health and Safety Info
SA: Maui church, King’s Cathedral & Chapels disputes virus cluster designation
* * * * *
LARGE COVID-19 CLUSTER WARRANTS CAUTION ON MAUI
News Release from DoH, Mar 31, 2021
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is issuing guidance to a Maui church and its congregation because of the imminent health threat posed by a large cluster of COVID-19 cases.
King’s Cathedral in Kahului is encouraged to cancel all upcoming in-person events and conduct only virtual services until the cluster is contained.
People who attended events hosted by King’s Cathedral and Chapels in the past 14 days are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19. They should closely monitor themselves for symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat or loss of taste or smell. If symptoms develop, they are advised to self-quarantine and seek medical consultation.
COVID cases associated with King’s Cathedral were identified as a cluster on March 7. DOH first met with church representatives to recommend containment measures including isolation, quarantine, and advising a switch to virtual services and other prevention measures on March 10. However, further transmission was subsequently detected related to ongoing in-person services, a youth conference, and other gatherings. The cluster has doubled in the past ten-days and now totals 50 COVID-19 cases.
Those infected range in age from 10 to 77. COVID-19 transmission has spread from the church to a school and a workplace. DOH is concerned more “spillover” cases will threaten the greater community and not just those affiliated with King’s Cathedral.
“DOH does not disclose specific cluster locations unless there is an imminent risk to public health,” said Acting State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “Based on the findings of our investigative team, we believe disclosure is warranted to prevent further transmission of the disease.”
Statewide case counts and case counts on Maui have risen in the past week. It is critically important people wear masks, maintain physical distance, avoid crowds, and wash hands regularly. Anyone who feels sick or believes they are coming down with a cold should not go to work or school.
Anyone who feels ill, believes they may have been exposed or has attended a King’s Cathedral and Chapel function in the past two weeks can schedule a COVID-19 test by registering at the following link >>> LINK.
---30---
COVERAGE: