Seven Hawaii National Guardsmen who recently deployed to Washington, D.C. to help ensure a peaceful transition of presidential power on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021, have tested positive for COVID-19.

The 193 Guardsmen were requested to assist with the Washington, D.C. mission. The Guardsmen were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival back to Honolulu and seven tested positive for COVID-19. They flew on a total of four different military flights, with most flights landing this weekend and one on Tuesday and did not fly on a commercial airline at any point. The other Guardsmen who already tested negative will still be required to complete a 14-day quarantine.

All seven affected individuals are isolating and the other Guardsmen who have tested negative will still be required to complete a 14-day quarantine, per National Guard Bureau’s standard protocol for this mission. Those who have tested negative will also be re-tested this Sunday in a drive-thru event, just as a safety precaution.

The safety of our Guardsmen is of paramount importance. Guard leaders have been in contact with everyone affected and we are offering our full support, including providing supplies as necessary so the Guardsmen can stay in isolation and quarantine safely.

The State Department of Health has been notified and is assisting with contact tracing.