Queen’s Medical Center today reported a set of 39 COVID-19 cases at its main Punchbowl site.
The hospital said 27 caregivers and 12 patients had tested positive after a single patient tested positive for the coronavirus two weeks ago.
The hospital said in a written statement that, immediately after the patient’s initial test, he underwent extensive surveillance and took steps to prevent the rapid transmission of the virus.
“Everyone is in quarantine and receiving adequate care,” said the hospital. “These events are taking place at the same time as almost double the rate of positive community testing for COVID.
The hospital said it continues to follow the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health “to ensure safe, high-quality care for its patients.”
“The welfare of our patients and caregivers is our highest priority,” said Jason Chang, president of Queen’s Medical Center. “We are committed to best practices to ensure that we are providing the highest levels of safe and compassionate healthcare to the people of Hawaii.”
Queen’s Health Systems sent a written press release to Honolulu Star-Advertiser after an investigation was made and no further questions were answered.
Queen’s is providing the COVID-19 vaccine to its caregivers and “strongly advises everyone to get it”. So far, more than 5,700 caregivers at Queen’s Health Systems have received it.
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