
Honokaa Hospital Grapples with COVID Cluster in Long-Term Care Wing
Honokaa Hospital on Hawaii Island is contending a COVID-19 outbreak in its long-term care wing first identified Aug. 15, linked to hurricane-related disruption. By Aug. 26, 26 of 59 patients and 12 of the wing’s staff had tested positive, though officials say no one is severely ill. The hospital is following CDC/CMS mitigation guidelines—testing, isolating, masking, and enhanced hygiene—with the Hawai‘i Department of Health notified. Test results were delayed by storm impacts, prompting broader rapid testing to identify asymptomatic cases. Visitation remains allowed with precautions. Health officials emphasize that while COVID-19 remains circulating, risk is lower than during the pandemic’s peak, and vaccination and precautions remain important for high-risk populations.













