COUNTY PRESS RELEASE….MAYOR ROTH TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19; REINFORCES NEED FOR BOOSTERS

MAYOR ROTH TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19; REINFORCES NEED FOR BOOSTERS
Mayor Mitch Roth tested positive for COVID-19 over the Christmas weekend. He was asymptomatic when he
was tested and is currently experiencing mild symptoms related to the virus. The reason for testing was due to a
close contact in his immediate household. Mayor Roth is fully vaccinated and received his booster earlier this
month. His household is also fully vaccinated. Mayor Roth was set to be out on vacation this week and will
remain home to quarantine for ten days, per County, State, and Federal rules.
“With the rise in cases happening across our state and on our island, we all need to do what we can to ensure
that we can protect ourselves and those around us,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “Getting vaccinated and, most
importantly, getting boosted can minimize the chance of severe illness and keep us out of the hospitals. I’m only
experiencing minor symptoms because of the vaccines, and I would like to encourage all of you who haven’t
gotten yours yet to please go ahead and do so. The virus is spreading at a rampant rate and will take a toll on our
medical resources if we don’t all do our part. The power is really in our hands, and we have to take this
seriously.”
The County of Hawaiʻi would like to remind residents to stay home if they’re feeling ill, mask up, distance
when possible, and gather outdoors this New Year. All residents who feel sick or are in close contact with a
known positive should get tested. County-approved testing vendors can be found on the Civil Defense webpage
at hawaiicounty.gov/testing. Vaccine and booster information can also be found on the Civil Defense webpage
at hawaiicounty.gov/vaccination