Mayor Victorino exposed to COVID-19 during meeting with opponents of public health emergency rules

News Release from Office of the Mayor, Oct 18, 2021

Mayor Michael Victorino tested negative for COVID-19 this weekend after meeting days earlier in-person with three unvaccinated Maui County residents opposed to State and County emergency public health rules. Two of the three residents later tested positive for COVID-19.

Although the three residents had negative results for the virus prior to the meeting on Thursday, one of the attendees began experiencing symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Another attendee also tested positive. Mayor Victorino learned of the exposure through a social media post late Saturday.

“I am disappointed that no one reached out to my office to immediately let me know of the positive test,” Mayor Victorino said. “That was irresponsible, and could result in the spread of the disease by myself and several executive staff members. We only found out about the exposure because of a social media post.”

Mayor Victorino and members of his staff who attended the meeting were tested for COVID-19 and found to be negative. Executive staff members were fully vaccinated.

The group of residents sought the in-person meeting with Mayor Victorino to advocate for a town-hall style public event with others opposed to State and County safety measures.

“As the administrative leader of this County, I have a duty to protect County employees and the public. Therefore, due to the risk of encouraging in-person group gatherings, I will not be participating in an in-person town hall style meeting, but I will continue to meet virtually with members of our community. I value all points of view.” 

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Correction: One-not two-participants tested positive for COVID-19 after meeting with Mayor Victorino

News Release from Office of the Mayor, Oct 19, 2021

Mayor Michael Victorino today corrected a press release issued yesterday, acknowledging that one--not two–of the individuals who met with him and his staff on Thursday tested positive for COVID-19. 

The individual who tested positive on Saturday did not immediately inform the Mayor’s office even though he had cellphone numbers of some executive staff members. The infected individual did not contact the Mayor’s office until 10:15 a.m. on Monday. News of his test results came by way of a social media post over the weekend.

Mayor Victorino received information that two of three meeting participants had tested positive for COVID-19. That information has since been determined to be inaccurate. 

“My office is correcting this error because we value accuracy,” explained Mayor Victorino. “I must also emphasize that no names were mentioned in our announcement.”

Mayor Victorino and all members of his executive staff are fully vaccinated. As a health precaution, unvaccinated individuals who participated in the October 14 meeting were required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test and to wear masks at all times while in the County building.

“Thankfully, all participating staff members have since received negative COVID-19 test results. Ironically, the infected individual is a shining example that masks do work to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” concluded the mayor. “I wish him a speedy and complete recovery from his illness.”

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UPDATE:  'Karma is a Bitch' -- Maui Mayor's Office Rips Anti-Vaxxer

KHON: Maui Mayor Mike Victorino tests negative after being exposed to COVID during in-person meeting 

MN: Maui Mayor Victorino says he learned of COVID-19 exposure via social media