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, Aug 21, 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. 15-21, 2020

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) welcomed back students this week, starting the new school year off in modified formats that included online and in-person learning. Most schools statewide will shift to full distance learning beginning Monday, Aug. 24. 

Recognizing the importance of timely and relevant communication during a crisis, the Department is publicly reporting positive cases by complex area on its website. 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 potential positive) cases as appropriate. 

HIDOE’s case count should not be used to determine community spread or sources of an outbreak or cluster. To date, in all HIDOE cases, an infected individual came onto campus; the transmission did not occur on campus.

Case Summary:

Confirmed positive cases for the week of Aug. 15-21 include nine employees, four students and one parent, due to the level of interaction that occurred, for a total of 14. All campuses were sanitized and notification went out to staff in all cases. In all but one case, due to the timing of the case that occurred before students returned, parents received notification too. 

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 DOH confirmation. 

Before coming onto a HIDOE campus, staff, parents and students should 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 into campus. 

HIDOE cumulative statewide total to-date (June 26-Aug. 21 2020): 29

View our COVID-19 update archive

KHON: Hawaii DOE reports 14 COVID-positive cases from Aug. 15 to 21

Aug 16, 2020: DoE Releases Statewide List of COVID Cases by Complex Area