COVID-19 Strikes Hospital Construction Workers

Contractors working in non-clinical, closed area of Molokai General Hospital tested positive

By Dan Hounsell


Even as widely available vaccines for COVID-19 are bringing the pandemic under greater control nationwide, many people have not been vaccinated, and workplace conditions remain in which the illness can be transmitted. 

Consider Hawaii, where a cluster of more than a dozen COVID-19 cases on Molokai surfaced last week, according to The Molokai Dispatch. The series of positive cases originated from Maui construction contractors working in a non-clinical, closed area of Molokai General Hospital. They tested positive after their arrival while working alongside Molokai workers.

A hospital official confirmed the area of the hospital where they were working was separated and sealed off from patients and hospital staff. The air handling system was disconnected, and there was no air exchange between the work area and any parts of the hospital.

But Rep. Lynn DeCoite confirmed the virus has infected family members and community members.



May 26, 2021


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Contaminants Under Foot: A Closer Look at Patient Room Floors

So-called dust bunnies on hospital room floors contain dust particles that turn out to be the major source of the bacteria humans breathe.


Power Outages Largely Driven by Extreme Weather Events

Almost half of power outages in the United States were caused by extreme weather events.


Nemours Children's Health Opens New Moseley Foundation Institute Hospital


Code Compliance Isn't Enough for Healthcare Resilience

Intensifying climate risks are pushing hospitals to think beyond code requirements and toward long-term resilience.


Ribbon Cutting Marks First Phase Completion for New Montefiore Einstein Facility

The second phase is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.