As COVID-19 on the Big Island grew today to 152 active cases, Hawaii County Civil Defense announced there will be an additional drive-through screening and testing for COVID-19 tomorrow, Sunday, at Prince Kuhio Shopping Center at the Ohuohu Street parking lot (across from Macy’s Menswear Department wing). The testing will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 1 p.m.
No insurance is necessary to be tested, but please bring your insurance card if you have one.
Please be sure to wear a face covering at all times, and observe social distancing.
The situation on the Big Island is growing more serious. Today, 39 new cases were reported, bringing the island’s total to 318. On August 1, the island’s case count was 115 with zero active. With 152 known active cases on the island, it’s clear that the virus is spreading in the community.
People are urged to get tested if they have been at large gatherings, especially if not everybody was wearing a mask and not staying away from each other. It is not necessary to have active symptoms, but if you do have symptoms or believe you have been in close contact with somebody with COVID-19, consider getting tested.
It is better to be tested and know if there’s a possibility you might expose others than not to know. There is no stigma to testing positive, but if one does test positive, then they know to isolate themselves. State Department of Health has said if somebody cannot safely isolate in their own home, State DOH has alternate lodging options.
One of the biggest concerns is whether the number of cases on the Big Island will fill up and overtax our island’s three acute care hospitals. As of today, Hilo Medical Center has 17 patients with COVID, 3 of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit. Kona Hospital has not responded to today’s inquiry, and North Hawaii Hospital spokesperson said they will not provide any numbers because of patient privacy.
The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, which is under the Hilo Medical Center umbrella, has 8 staff and 23 residents who have tested positive. Three of the residents are in the hospital, and the other 20 are being cared for in a special COVID-19 unit of the Veterans Home.
Photo of vehicles in line Saturday to get tested at Prince Kuhio Mall courtesy Calvin Higa
