Hilo Medical Center has reported today that one additional resident of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home has died from COVID-19 — the ninth resident of the facility to pass away from complications of the virus. The death was reported Tuesday afternoon.
A total of 59 out of 74 residents of the Veterans Home have tested positive for COVID-19. On Monday, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz asked Gov. Ige and Veterans Administration Secretary Robert Wilke to provide assistance to the Veterans Home. The Honolulu Star Advertiser reported that both Dan Brinkman, CEO of Hilo Medical Center, under whose auspices the Veterans Home operates, and Allison Griffiths of Avalon Health Care Management, which runs the residence, said they would welcome support from the VA. Hawaii News Now reported on Monday that Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said he resented Sen. Schatz suggesting the county wasn’t responding appropriately, and that the State would soon send a team to investigate. The first death occurred ten days ago, on Aug. 29.
HMC has 14 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The full report from HMC is below:
- HILO MEDICAL CENTER UPDATE (as of 2:30 pm on Tuesday, September 8, 2020)
o 14 total COVID-positive patients are hospitalized: 5 in ICU, 9 in COVID Unit
o Due to current positivity rate for Hawaii County of 4.1% based on August 28 through September 2 data, Center Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires long term care facilities to COVID-19 test all staff.
o Testing begins this week for long term care staff in Hilo’s Extended Care Facility, Ka`u Hospital and Hale Ho`ola Hamakua.
- NOTE: If community positivity rate is below 5%, staff are required to test monthly. If community positivity rate exceeds 5%, staff are required to test weekly.
- YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME UPDATE (as of 2:30 pm on Tuesday, September 8, 2020)
o The following is today’s report by Avalon Healthcare, the managing company of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home:
- A total of 59 residents and 20 employees have tested positive for COVID-19
- 3 residents are hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center
- 33 total residents are cared for at the veterans home’s COVID designated area
- 14 residents and 1 employee have recovered
- 1 death to report today, Tuesday, September 8, 2020 related to COVID-19 with significant, underlying health issues.
o 9 total resident deaths related to COVID-19 have occurred. We offer our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones.
- For additional information, go to: https://ahcupdates.info/hilo-covid19-update