Judy Donovan, Kona Community Hospital’s Regional Director of Marketing & Strategic Planning has confirmed that Kona Community Hospital on Friday, March 20, received test results for two individuals who tested positive for COVID-19.  Both — a non-resident and a resident– had recently traveled, but neither had severe symptoms.  They are self-isolating at home on the island.

Donovan said these are the only two presumptive positive cases KCH has tested.  Kona Hospital is not a community testing site, but does test patients and anybody who presents at the Emergency Department with flu-like symptoms.  If individuals test negative for flu, and their symptoms warrant, they will get a COVID-19 test.   Patients who test positive with mild to moderate symptoms are told to self-isolate at home.  Donovan said Kona Hospital is prepared to admit any COVID-19 patient with severe symptoms and put them in isolation.

Patients who present at the Emergency Department with other issues are put in a completely separate area.

Donovan said currently, it takes around 5 days to get test results.  However, Lt. Gov. Dr. Josh Green, who is also an Emergency Room Doctor, has advised the hospital that within the next few days, the state will have access to the FDA-approved “Rapid Result” test, and be able to get results within 6 or 7 hours.

Donovan said L.G. Green visited the hospital on Friday and reviewed the hospital’s plans to handle any possible surge in patients.  He met with the head of the Emergency Department and other medical staff members, as well as Donovan.

She also said that employees not directly involved with clinical care are working from home, including those in medical records, the business office, some human resources personnel, and some quality department and administrative staff members.