Life Care Center of Hilo recently experienced a large COVID-19 outbreak, resulting in 93 confirmed cases and one death since April.
However, Life Care Center representatives and the state Department of Health confirmed the facility is now free of active cases, and indoor visitation is open at the facility.
“As of May 23, Life Care Center of Hilo is pleased to share that we have no active cases of COVID-19 in our building,” said Life Care Center Executive Director Kirsten Huertas in a statement sent to the Tribune-Herald on Tuesday. “We will also continue to monitor all our residents and associates for signs and symptoms, as well as practicing appropriate masking, social distancing, and hand hygiene.”
Of the cases, 76 were among residents and 17 were staff members.
The DOH reported one COVID-19 death of a resident after being transferred to the hospital.
The facility has a total of 252 beds for its senior housing, but declined to share the total number of current residents.
“We continue to follow guidance from our local health department, as well as the latest guidance offered by the (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid) regarding COVID-19 and infection control,” Huertas said. “Most of the COVID-19 cases our facility has dealt with in recent months have been asymptomatic, and most of those with symptoms who have been vaccinated have recovered quickly.”
The DOH confirmed it has been working with Life Care Center of Hilo since the outbreaks began in early April, providing ongoing assistance.
“After the nursing home consulted with DOH and implemented heightened infection prevention measures, new cases have slowed,” DOH spokesperson Shawn Hamamoto told the Tribune-Herald via email on Monday.
The DOH also is investigating a COVID-related complaint it received regarding the Hilo facility.
“The Office of Health Care Assurance, DOH’s nursing facility regulatory compliance program, conducted a focused infection control survey based on federal requirements and also conducted an investigation on an anonymous COVID-related complaint,” Hamamoto said. “The results of the survey and investigation will be available at the conclusion of the survey/investigation and after the results are reported to the facility.”
The DOH also confirmed it is using an infection preventionist as part of its mitigation efforts.
“DOH infection preventionists provide up-to-date guidance and offer on-site assessments and training to help facilities implement best practices in infection prevention and control,” Hamamoto said. “These are distinct from regulatory site visits and are focused on helping facilities to identify opportunities and address barriers related to infection control practices. During an outbreak, the DOH infection preventionist works with facility infection control staff to review and recommend actions that can be taken by the facility to prevent further spread of disease.”
Both DOH and Life Care Center of Hilo representatives cited the role of vaccinations in reducing the spread and severity of illness caused by COVID-19.
“High COVID-19 vaccination and booster uptake in nursing homes, along with implementation of other layered mitigation measures, has greatly reduced the number of hospitalizations and deaths associated with outbreaks in these settings,” Hamamoto said. “Unfortunately, once a COVID-19 outbreak has started in a nursing home, it can be very challenging to control, and deaths can still occur.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com