Hilo Medical Center is implementing new procedures for visitors, effective today.  Since April 6, 2020, because of the COVID-19 epidemic, no visitors have been allowed inside the hospital.

The hospital’s web site says as of now, one visitor per patient is allowed between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.  Patients coming into the Emergency Department may be accompanied by one person.

Anybody coming into the hospital will be asked about their health, and must wear a mask at all times.  And visitors will be asked to go only to the room of the patient they are visiting, and nowhere else in the facility.

Hilo Medical Center operates a hotline for any medical questions about COVID-19, at 932.3000, X 8.  The hotline is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m

Hilo Medical Center continues to test for COVID-19 with a doctor’s order, and so far has tested 1,069 people.  At its affiliate, Puna Community Medical Center, 85 have been tested, for a total of 1154 tests.  Starting today, Hilo Medical Center will begin testing employees for COVID-19.

Click here for the Hilo Medical Center COVID-19 factsheet, which has details of the hospital’s capabilities and procedures during COVID-19.