Today, Saturday, there will be a drive-through COVID-19 screening and testing clinic at Kamehameha Park in Kapa‘au, in North Kohala from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
This free clinic is open to the public; however, individuals must first undergo a screening on site by clinic physicians to determine if they meet the criteria to be tested. The screening criteria will be based on guidance of the CDC and the State’s COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Right now the clinicians are looking for direct known exposure to a positive COVID-19 patient, symptoms such as dry cough or fever or sudden loss of taste and smell, travel from out of state, or frequent exposure to a large number of people (ie health professionals, first responders, airline personnel).
People who visit the screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID. Additionally, people are requested to bring their own pen, and any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required.
The event is sponsored by Premier Medical Group, the County of Hawai‘i, and Hope Services.
As of today, Hawaii Island has had 73 cases of COVID-19, with 13 still active. Although the bulk are in the Kailua-Kona area, followed by Hilo, there are cases scattered around the island. There was only one new case in the state announced Friday by State Department of Health. Lt. Governor Dr. Josh Green says the state’s curve of COVID-19 cases is now flat, but has emphasized the need for people with symptoms or exposure to get tested to ensure anybody with COVID-19 isolates from others to avoid spreading the virus.
On Sunday, people may get screened and tested at Hilo Civic Auditorium from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
For further information, please call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
Photo of King Kamehameha statue in Kapa’au courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority.
