A faith-based university in Hawaii has recorded another coronavirus outbreak, forcing officials to temporarily close the school to the public starting April 2.
The University of the Nations Kona detected 20 new cases of the virus after conducting a testing program for students and personnel who are preparing to travel out of the country.
Spokesperson Johnny Gillespie told West Hawaii Today that 64 people have been placed in precautionary quarantine after being identified as close contacts of those who tested positive.
He explained that the 20 students and staff who contracted the virus are all asymptomatic and now in isolation.
In response to the outbreak, the university has decided to return to online instruction for students and remote meetings for staff.
“We have been in close communication with the DOH 100% since discovering the first case,” Gillespie said.
In October of last year, 52 people affiliated with the university tested positive for COVID-19. This first outbreak prompted campus-wide testing involving around 1,000 students and staff.
