Civil Defense: 2 more deaths at Hilo veterans home

Hawaii County Civil Defense this morning said Hilo Medical Center reports two more COVID-19 deaths related to the coronavirus outbreak at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.

That brings the total number of deaths related to the veterans home cluster to 18 and the Big Island COVID-19 death toll to 19.

According to Civil Defense, there are 10 new active COVID-19 cases on Hawaii Island, reported and monitored by the Department of Health. The island has 16 individuals hospitalized for coronavirus-related illness.

To further support virus containment and suppression efforts at the veterans home, a 15-person team from the Veterans Administration is at the facility to assist the staff and to support operations.

An ohana food-distribution service will begin at 10 a.m. today at Pahoa Community Center in Puna.

Coronavirus drive-up testing is scheduled for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Afook-Chinen Auditorium parking lot in Hilo. Please enter the site through the Kuawa Street entrance.