Community Testing Scheduled to Stem Spread of COVID-19

Mass community testing clinics for COVID-19 will begin again starting Tuesday, July 20.

The announcement of the clinics coincides with the Department of Health’s confirmation of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 delta variant throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Hawai‘i County officials hope to stem the spread of the virus by reinstituting community testing.

Testing in Kona will take place at Kona Community Aquatic Center, located at 75-5530 Kuakini Highway, on Tuesday from 3-6 p.m., starting Tuesday, July 20. Testing will also take place in Hilo at Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, located at 323 Manono St., from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21.

“The purpose of testing is to identify positive cases as early as possible, and in this way, help prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency stated.

HMC officials confirmed 53 additional delta variant cases were detected since June statewide. Of that number, 14 cases were reported on Hawaii Island with an increase of one on June 25. Hilo Medical Center has also seen a rise in hospitalizations due to the virus. As of Thursday, July 15, there were seven COVID patients, one of which was on a ventilator.

County officials also encourage the community to get vaccinated.