HMC Treating 3 COVID Patients, None in ICU

There are no COVID-19 patients in Hilo Medical Center’s ICU as of Tuesday, Oct. 19.

HMC is currently caring for three COVID patients, two unvaccinated and one vaccinated, all receiving care in the hospital’s medical unit. Additionally, Tuesday marks the first day HMC officially closed its COVID pod.

“Many thanks for our staff for the perseverance, love and aloha you embodied in this delta surge,” HMC officials stated. “We remain cautiously optimistic but know there is still work to do in neighboring communities to increase vaccination rates that are hovering around 35%-45%.”

HMC as well as Kona Community Hospital were operating beyond capacity as the delta surge of the COVID virus swept through the Big Island community. At the height of the surge, hospital officials reported at least 40 hospitalizations statewide.

HMC also reminds the public of their FEMA-funded monoclonal antibody (MoAB) clinic which provides treatment for people, 12 years of age or older and who weigh at least 88 pounds, who have had close contact to someone in the last 10 days who tested positive for the virus.

The clinic also offers treatment for people have tested positive less than 10 days ago, who are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19.