HIDOE COVID-19 Information and Updates

This resource page provides weekly updates to the public on confirmed COVID-19 cases in the HIDOE system.

News Release from Hawaii DoE, August 28, 2020

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our students, employees and school communities remains one of our highest priorities.

Along with internal guidelines, the Department's Health & Safety Handbook provides overall direction to schools and offices, including guidance on safety protocols, cleaning and sanitation procedures, and notification steps.

This resource page provides weekly updates to the public on confirmed COVID-19 cases in the HIDOE system. Case counts will be reported weekly by complex area (groups of adjacent high schools and their feeder elementary and middle schools), along with a running statewide total.

Cases for the week of Aug. 22-28, 2020

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) officially started Learn from Home on Monday, Aug. 24, the second phase of distance learning. It was announced this week that this phase would continue through the first quarter for all Oahu schools and most neighbor island schools.

HIDOE continues to publicly report positive cases by complex area on its website. HIDOE’s case count should not be used to determine community spread or sources of an outbreak or cluster.

Public disclosure is done at this level in accordance with federal and state laws protecting student and staff privacy and medical information. Policy considerations are in place to protect the identity of individuals including protecting minors from being physically ostracized or psychologically harmed by being identified and minimizing disruptions at schools. Schools promptly notify affected individuals directly — staff, families and/or service providers — about positive (or in some cases potentially positive) cases as appropriate.

In some situations, cases are reported to the Department by an individual, pending documentation of the positive result. This does not stop HIDOE's response, and notification may go out to the school community out of an abundance of caution before the confirmation is received. Cases currently being investigated are not included in the count and will be reported in the following weeks when the Department receives one of three official documentation options: lab results, doctor’s note or Department of Health (DOH) confirmation.

Before coming onto campus, staff, students and parents are encouraged to do a wellness check. If an individual is exhibiting any symptoms or if they have been directed to quarantine by DOH they should not come onto campus. If someone in their household has been tested for COVID-19 or if they are exhibiting symptoms, they should call before coming to campus so the school can assess the situation and determine if a visit is necessary and/or appropriate.

Case Summary:

Confirmed positive cases for the week of Aug. 22-28 include nine employees, five students, four service providers and two parents, due to the level of interaction that occurred at a HIDOE facility, for a total of 20.

Cases involving individuals who were not on campus for an extended period of time and where interaction occurred outside, it was determined that professional cleaning and disinfection efforts were not needed and handled at the school level.

HIDOE cumulative statewide total to-date (June 26-Aug. 28 2020): 49

View our COVID-19 update archive