Hilo Medical Center is reporting there was one new death at the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home last evening.  That brings the island’s death toll from COVID-19 to 27, with 2 deaths unrelated to the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home outbreak, and 25 deaths either at Hilo Medical Center in residents of the home or at the home itself.

There are 17 COVID-19 patients at Hilo Medical Center, 5 of whom are in the ICU, and 11 in the COVID Unit, and one in the hospital’s Extended Care Facility.

There are 17 residents with COVID-19 at Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home, and 5 residents currently at Hilo Medical Center.

Both the Veterans Administration and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency have noted deficiencies in the Veterans Home’s COVID-19 protocol, including “respecting resident rights over the rights of the general population.”  That included letting residents choose to not wear masks or cloth face coverings, even though that is part of COVID-19 protection protocol.  Mayor Harry Kim has called for Avalon Healthcare, which manages the facility, to be removed.

Following is the morning HMC update, which includes an update on Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home.

 

HILO MEDICAL CENTER UPDATE (as of 10:00 pm on Tuesday, September 22, 2020)

• 17 total COVID-positive patients are hospitalized: 5 in ICU, 11 in COVID Unit, 1 in Extended Care Facility
• The second round of COVID tests for Extended Care Facility staff and residents came back negative. Follow-up testing has was conducted on Monday, September 21, 2020, results pending.
• Admissions to our Extended Care Facility remain paused until the situation is resolved.
• Hilo Medical Center is optimistic in managing COVID in the hospital and its long term care facility.
• 2 total deaths, unrelated to the veterans home, have occurred in the hospital on September 8 and 18.

 

YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME UPDATE (as of 10:00 pm on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, reported by Avalon Healthcare, the veterans home’s managing company)

• A total of 70 residents and 34 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in this outbreak
• 49 residents are currently at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home
• 17 residents are receiving care in the home’s COVID designated area
• 5 residents are hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center
• 25 total resident deaths related to COVID-19 have occurred. We offer our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones.

o   1 death related to COVID-19 to report today that occurred late last night on September 21, 2020.

• 23 residents and 25 employees have recovered
• For additional information, go to: https://ahcupdates.info/hilo-covid19-update