A case of COVID-19 associated with Liberty Dialysis in Hilo has been confirmed, although officials today would not say whether the case was in a patient or staff member.
A case of COVID-19 associated with Liberty Dialysis in Hilo has been confirmed, although officials today would not say whether the case was in a patient or staff member.
A clinic administrator declined to comment when reached this morning, however, a company spokesman later provided a comment to the Tribune-Herald.
“We have been actively screening patients and employees for COVID-19 since February and implemented strict infection control procedures and use of protective equipment which have met or exceeded federal guidelines,” Brad Puffer, a spokesman for Fresenius Kidney Care and Liberty Dialysis, said in an emailed statement. “Though we are unable to disclose information about specific individuals or centers, we can confirm that patients who present symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 will be receiving treatment in separate clinics or shifts to help protect our patients, employees, and physician partners. Patient safety and delivering superior care remains at the forefront of everything we do.”
Puffer said the company does not expect a disruption in care for patients.
Additional information about the case or specific steps the clinic is taking to address the exposure was not immediately available.
However, according information on the the Fresenius website, their clinics are “intensively disinfected” on a daily basis, and visitors are not currently permitted.
When asked about a possible case at the dialysis center, the state Department of Health said it cannot comment on individual cases and does not disclose locations for individual cases.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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