Hilo Medical Center (HMC) reports that 11 patients are hospitalized for COVID-19, three are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and eight are in the COVID Unit. One more death was reported at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, bringing the total to 6.
Five total staff from various departments have notified HMC of their positive COVID test results, most likely contracted in the community. COVID-positive employees are quarantining at home. Each case continues to be managed by contact tracing, appropriate testing, and monitored by Employee Health.
Self-collection test kits are available to clinical staff involved in direct care of COVID patients. Staff concerned that they may have been exposed to COVID may contact Employee Health for an assessment and to schedule an appointment for COVID testing.
COVID testing is also available for all concerned staff at Employee Health.
COVID testing for Extended Care Facility staff is scheduled for next week per new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements to protect nursing home residents – There are no cases of COVID in the Extended Care Facility.
YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME UPDATE (as of 1:15 pm on Friday, September 4, 2020)
HMC reports that 47 residents and 18 employees at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home have now tested positive for COVID-19.
Zero residents are currently hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center.
41 residents are cared for at the veteran’s home’s COVID designated area and one more death from the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home occurred on Thursday, Sept. 3, in the late evening and was not included in yesterday’s update. Six total deaths related to COVID-19 with significant, underlying health issues. HMC offer their sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of these veterans who served our country.