Third Yukio Okutsu resident dies from COVID-19

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A third resident of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home has died from COVID-19.

Ten employees and 28 residents, including the three that have died, have tested positive for the virus in the last week.

Three residents are currently hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center, according to information provided by the hospital. Two have been released from HMC and have returned to the Hilo veterans home for continued care.

A total of 23 residents are being cared for in a specially designated area at Yukio Okutsu.

The veterans home is a Hawaii Health Systems Corp. facility, along with HMC, but is managed by Avalon Health Care Group.

An Avalon spokeswoman said the facility has received all results from testing on Aug. 26-27 and all staff and residents are being re-tested starting today.

A total of 16 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center, including two in the hospital’s intensive care unit and 14 in its COVID-19 unit.

None of those patients are currently on ventilators.