Hawaii DOE | HIDOE launches data dashboard to inform public of confirmed COVID-19 cases in schools

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) today launched an interactive dashboard on its website to display confirmed COVID-19 case data at its 257 schools and other Department offices. 

“This dashboard was designed with parents in mind as we work to build confidence in the critical work our schools are doing to keep schools open and safe for learning,” interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “It’s part of our commitment to continuously improve communication and transparency as we build trust with our communities. We encourage everyone to take a look at the data for themselves and see what we’re seeing — that schools are not amplifiers of COVID-19 transmission because of the mitigation protocols schools are enforcing.”

The dashboard includes confirmed and probable COVID-19 case information from the state, district, complex area and school levels. Case counts are visually displayed by date reported and as a cumulative running total of cases since July 1, 2021. The 2021-22 school year began July 8 for students at multitrack schools and Aug. 3 for all other schools. In accordance with Act 4, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, the dashboard also includes the date each case was reported to the Department and the date the positively tested individual was last on a school campus.

Data will be updated daily, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), prior to the close of business at http://bit.ly/hidoe-covid-updates. Daily case counts will reflect confirmed COVID-19 cases reported the day prior. Reported cases that still require confirmation or processing will not be included in the total.

Schools will continue to make the following notifications for all confirmed and probable cases:

• Immediate notification to individuals who may have come into close contact with the infected person about possible exposure while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with state and federal law.

• Notification to staff and parents/guardians about the possible exposure and HIDOE activities to contain the spread of infection.

Between Aug. 20 and 26, HIDOE schools and complex areas reported a total of 557 confirmed staff and student cases. Daily counts this week reflect a slight fluctuation due to the Department’s transition to a new online case-reporting system.

Schools and the Department worked quickly to respond to these cases, identify and notify close contacts, direct appropriate individuals to quarantine, disinfect facilities as necessary, and continue to enforce the core essential strategies.

While community transmission levels remain high, the Department has no known cases of students getting sick with COVID-19 as a result of coming to school, and there is no evidence of clusters on HIDOE campuses.

The dashboard reporting system will replace the Department’s news releases of weekly case reports. HIDOE families and interested members of the public are encouraged to check the dashboard regularly for updates.