Hilo Medical Center has 17 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, with 4 in the Intensive Care Unit and 13 in the COVID-19 unit.

Public Information Officer Elena Cbatu said that on Friday, an employee who works in the Behavioral Health Unit notified the hospital of a positive COVID-19 test result from community-based exposure.  The employee had worked several shifts in the Behavioral Health Unit, and following the hospital’s protocol, the hospital immediately began testing patients and staff.  The testing was completed this morning.  HMC will pause admissions to the BHU as it waits results.

The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, as of late morning today, had 8 employees and 23 residents who had tested positive for COVID-19.  Three of the residents are hospitalized, and 20 are being cared for at the Veterans Home’s COVID-19 area, isolated from other residents.

The employees who tested positive are on leave, and the Veterans Home’s staff and leadership are working to contain the outbreak.