COVID-19 outbreak hits Hilo nursing home - The Garden Island Newspaper

Administrator Kaui Chartrand reports on a COVID-19 outbreak at Hilo Benioff Medical Center's nursing home, affecting 15 people during Hawaii's summer wave.

The facility is experiencing its second outbreak since last fall, with 10 residents and five staff members testing positive. Despite the outbreak likely originating from a visitor, all infected residents show only mild symptoms and remain hospitalized on-site. The center maintains strict protocols including twice-weekly surveillance testing, isolation procedures, and Paxlovid treatment for positive cases.

• Hawaii's COVID-19 positivity rate reached 14.8% statewide, with wastewater data showing very high coronavirus levels
• The nursing home requires surgical masks for visitors and implements comprehensive testing protocols for all 54 residents and staff
• Health experts warn the upcoming school year could potentially increase community transmission rates
• All residents are vaccinated, and the facility aims for 100% negative test results before declaring the outbreak over