Three employees and seven residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home have tested positive for COVID-19, a spokeswoman confirmed this afternoon.
On Monday, it was reported that two employees had tested positive for the virus.
The spokeswoman said this afternoon that a testing plan is still being worked out, but it likely will include testing all residents and staff in shifts every three days until no additional new positive cases are found.
The veterans home is a Hawaii Health Systems Corp. facility, along with neighboring Hilo Medical Center, but is managed by Avalon Health Care Group.
“We’re communicating, supporting and working closely with the Yukio Okutsu Stat Veterans Home to ensure the residents’ safety,” HMC spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said. “Avalon has provided excellent care over the years, and we’re confident that we will successfully resolve this COVID outbreak.”