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VIDEO: Coronavirus cases in Hawaii grow to 7

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Video by Diane S. W. Lee / dlee@staradvertiser.com
Gov. David Ige, Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson and state Epidemiologist Sarah Park today gave an update on coronavirus cases and developments in Hawaii.
BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Gov. David Ige held a press conference today about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Gov. David Ige held a press conference today about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.

DIANE S. W. LEE / DLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Gov. David Ige held a press conference today about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.
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DIANE S. W. LEE / DLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM

Gov. David Ige held a press conference today about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.

BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Gov. David Ige held a press conference today about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.
DIANE S. W. LEE / DLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Gov. David Ige held a press conference today about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.

UPDATE: 4:05 p.m.

The number of coronavirus cases in Hawaii has grown to seven, but none of them appear to be the result of the virus spreading in the community, Gov. David Ige said at a news conference today.

The three cases announced today include one person on Maui and two people on Oahu. All three test results came from private labs that reported the results this weekend.

“All three are travel related with exposure outside of the state,” Ige said.

RELATED: Hawaii public schools extend spring break due to coronavirus concerns

Ige said state workers will be working to find people who may have come into contact with the new cases and informing individuals to monitor themselves for signs of the illness.

One of the cases on Oahu involved a Hawaii resident who traveled to Colorado from Feb. 29 to March 7. That person became symptomatic on March 9, and a sample was collected from the person on March 11. Ige said the person and family members, including a preschool-aged child, were advised to stay at home. Ige said the child developed respiratory symptoms, and the state Department of Health tested the child, but results were negative for COVID-19.

He said the child will not be returning to the preschool until after completing the quarantine period.

“There is no risk to the children at the preschool or staff,” Ige said.

The second Oahu case involved an Oahu resident who took a family trip to Florida and returned with family on March 8. The next day, the resident developed a cough, but no fever, and a specimen was collected the following day.

The person was keeping isolated from the family, staying in a bedroom with a dedicated bathroom, and other family members have been advised to stay away from the person.

The Maui case involves a female flight attendant, believed to be a Canadian citizen. The woman took a flight on March 8 to Maui and began showing symptoms on March 9. At some point, it was discovered the flight attendant was exposed to a confirmed case of coronavirus in Germany on March 4.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is possible for the virus to spread before symptoms are present, but that is not the main way that it spreads.

“Last flight that the flight attendant took was March 8, so we believe the risk to any passengers on the previous flight is low,” Ige said.

The person had a sample taken on March 11, which came back positive. Ige said the person had self-isolated at the Royal Lahaina Resort while awaiting test results. After the positive test result came back, the person was moved by an emergency medical services company to an isolation facility at a Lahaina clinic.

Also at the press conference, state epidemiologist Sarah Park answered questions about a Colorado woman who visited Hawaii in February and later tested positive for coronavirus. She said after speaking with Colorado officials she believes the woman did not get the virus in Hawaii.

Click here to watch the press conference.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Hawaii now has a statewide total of six positive coronavirus cases, with two cases pending confirmation, after the number of cases tripled Saturday.

State officials on Saturday said four people — an Indiana couple who traveled to Maui and Kauai, another person on Oahu and a woman on Maui — were tested positive for the virus, also known as COVID-19. The test results from the Oahu and Maui individuals are pending confirmation by a certified state public health laboratory.

“The Department of Health received the test results this evening and immediately notified the County of Maui, the City & County of Honolulu, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DOH is now working with the CDC to develop next-step response and mitigation initiatives. DOH will follow up with those who have had close contacts with those individuals,” according to a Department of Health statement.

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