The Hawaii Department of Public Safety (PSD) has been notified that a Deputy Sheriff in the Sheriff Division Special Operations Section has tested positive for COVID-19. This represents the first confirmed employee case within the Department of Public Safety to date. There have been no positive COVID-19 cases reported within the offender population.The Deputy took a COVID-19 test yesterday (8/4/20) and reported the positive test this morning. The employee reported not feeling well after work Monday night, and did not work yesterday. As a precaution, the Special Operations Section building, located on Keawe Street, is closed. All employees were instructed to go home while the situation is being assessed and seek out the advice of their medical provider. No other employees from that section have reported symptoms. The Department of Health was notified and is conducting contact tracing. The building will be closed today and tomorrow, and all arrest processing and bookings will be diverted to the Sheriff Division Airport Section Booking Station. The facility will be cleaned and disinfected. Reopening is pending follow up assessment of the situation.“PSD is proactively taking all necessary precautions to mitigate any potential spread of the virus due to possible exposure,” said Nolan Espinda, Public Safety Director. “We are working closely with the Department of Health and remain vigilant in our efforts to safeguard the health and welfare of staff and those in our custody.”PSD will continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 and make additional operational and preventative decisions as the situation evolves.For more information on PSD’s planning and response to COVID-19, and information detailing the efforts made to safeguard the inmates, staff and public, visit our webpage at: http://dps.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-resources/