Two other employees have been diagnosed with coronavirus at Kona Community Hospital.
KCH confirmed the news in a press release on Wednesday afternoon. The new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases in the hospital to three. All employees are quarantined in their homes, according to the statement.
The hospital will hold a COVID-19 test clinic on-site on Thursday to screen all hospital staff for possible exposure in the hospital. Testing is mandatory for KCH and affiliated employees, physicians, and any contractors who work at the hospital. The test is not open to the public.
Leaders of the KCH hospital and infection prevention department have contacted Dr. Scott Miscovich of Premier Medical Group Hawai’i to help conduct an emerging test site for staff, according to the statement.
Large-scale testing of all personnel is a proactive measure to provide an immediate and accurate snapshot of personnel who may potentially be exposed to the COVID-19 virus. The emerging model is the approved best practice for facilities that have identified positive COVID19 staff, KCH said.
A secondary test date is being arranged for later in the weekend to accommodate the assessment of hospital families and ‘ohana, hospital visitors and discharged patients who may be concerned about possible exposure while in the hospital. .
“No one is exempt,” said interim KCH CEO Jay Kreuzer. “We are testing all employees because it is the right thing to do. It is the best way to ensure the safety of our staff, our patients, and our community. ”
An ambulatory doctor at Ka’ū Hospital was also diagnosed with COVID-19 last week. Contact tracing tests have yet to identify any new medical-related cases.
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