Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim held what he acknowledged was a rare press conference Saturday afternoon at 2.  He said in 12 years of being Mayor, he had only held a few press conferences, and said now he felt he had to use the media to get his message out.  Today, he wanted to talk about Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home, which is affiliated with Hilo Medical Center.

As of this morning, ten of the residents of the Veterans Home have passed away from COVID-19.   One person not affiliated with the Veterans Home has also died from COVID-19.

Because of the number of cases, 66 residents and 27 employees at the Veterans Home, Kim is suggesting that the current administrators of the home, Avalon Health Care, a Utah company, should step away.  He did not suggest who might step in, nor how that would be achieved in the middle of this pandemic.

Kim said he called the press conference because he is not happy with the response by Avalon and the State of Hawaii.  Kim said the contract for management of the Veterans Home is the State’s responsibility.

The first cases at the Veterans Home were reported a day or two before August 23.  An asymptomatic staff member and a resident who had been treated and likely infected at Liberty Dialysis in Hilo were thought to be the first two cases.   According to Avalon Health Care, all residents and staff were tested for COVID-19 on August 23-24. All residents and staff were re-tested on August 26-27. A third round of all resident and staff testing took place on August 31. Residents were re-tested on September 3, and staff were re-tested on September 5. All residents and staff were tested on September 9. All residents and staff were re-tested on September 12.

Avalon also ensures that all staff wear PPE, and thorough sanitizing is being done.

Kim said he was unhappy with the investigations at the home.  One was by a state physician under the direction of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, from which Kim requested help.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz asked the VA to send an investigation team, which they did this week, to review infection control practices, provide PPE, provide additional personnel if needed.

To clarify Kim’s position, spokesperson Janet Snyder said in an email “The Mayor has no interest of taking it over.  He wants the administration of the Vets Home removed.”

The spokesperson for Hilo Medical Center and the Veterans Home said they were not aware the Mayor would hold this press conference asking for the Veterans Home administration to be removed, but that the hospital CEO speaks with the Mayor daily to provide an update.

Earlier today, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz called on Avalon to improve infection control at all three of its facilities in the state, two of which are on O’ahu.

Allison Griffiths, Vice President of Legal for Avalon Health Care, sent an email that said neither the State VA nor the Federal VA has asked or recommended that the facility administration step down. Griffiths shared the company’s official statement:

“We continue to work closely with representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and state and local health officials, who have applicable expertise to bring to bear as we work together to save lives. Our residents are our one and only priority. We do not have the luxury of time to engage in any fights other than beating this virus. That is where our focus will remain.”

Click here for a link to the Big Island Video News video of Mayor Kim’s news conference.