A Hawaii health worker who was one of the first to receive a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine in January contracted the virus after traveling to the mainland, local disease researchers found.
The Oahu resident and a traveling companion both tested positive after traveling to “several U.S. cities on the continent” in February, but according to the Department of Health’s disease outbreak department, they never developed symptoms. No family, friends or colleagues became infected.
A local case in which a vaccinated health worker contracted COVID-19 showed how humans can still contract the virus, but the vaccines work to prevent serious illness and death.
Thanks: The Queen’s Health Systems
It is one of three “breakthrough” cases identified by the health department, in which people who have been vaccinated nevertheless contract the virus. The health department said the cases are not surprising, as 165,000 people in Hawaii have been completely vaccinated and that the vaccines are about 95% effective, meaning some people will still get them. None of the three people became seriously ill or transmitted it to others.
‘The most important thing is that we are vaccinated to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death. This is what we really need to do the vaccines for us, ‘said Dr. Libby Char, the director of the health department, said in a press release. “Fortunately, their symptoms were very mild, which is exactly the protection that the vaccine provides, but you can get infected with COVID.”
The news was announced as part of the division’s weekly group report. Traveling outside of Hawaii has been a common thread among those who contract the virus, especially in cases where it occurs.
Of the nine total infections confirmed in Hawaii as a result of a strain first identified in the UK, three reportedly traveled to Las Vegas.
Health officials advise people not to travel for leisure.
The state announced this week that more doses of vaccine are on the way, and eligibility will be extended to new groups from Monday, including people with certain high-risk medical conditions and 65 and older as part of the launch in phase 1c of the deployment of the vaccine.
So far, the vaccines have been restricted to health workers, residents of long-term care facilities and kupuna of 70 years and older, along with essential workers.
People between the ages of 16 and 64 are eligible for Phase 1c if they are dependent on dialysis or on oxygen for a respiratory or cardiovascular disease, or according to the Hawaii Health Care Association. Otherwise, the state plans to proceed with the admission of the age by lowering the age requirement in five years.
Hawaii recorded an average of 54 daily COVID-19 cases this week. Most infections were on Oahu, but Maui and Hawaii provinces see the highest percentage of positive results, although the numbers are still low.
Weekly cases show that COVID-19 is a relatively rare disease on the islands.
Department of Health
Maui continues to deal with several infection groups, the largest in the Maui Community Correctional Center, where a total of 85 people have tested positive for COVID-19 so far.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is easing COVID-19 restrictions on Oahu, and as of Thursday, bars in Honolulu have been allowed to reopen to groups of up to ten and major funerals and events have been allowed. Next month, Blangiardi said outdoor sporting events could resume.
The move is an interruption of the original level system based on average cases and test scores. The level system was developed by former Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration.
