Premier Medical Group and the County of Hawaii are standing up an additional COVID-19 testing site for this Saturday in the wake of the confirmation of 3 Kona Community Hospital employees testing positive for COVID-19. At least one was involved in direct patient contact, but the hospital has not released information on whether the other two are also. Many people who went to the Emergency Department at Kona Hospital last week have received phone calls letting them know they may have been exposed and suggesting they get tested. At least one community member, a Mom who took her child to the Emergency Department with a broken arm, has tested positive. She is reportedly asymptomatic.
The drive-through testing is this Saturday, July 18, at West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy at the intersection with Kealakehe Parkway, from 8 a.m. until noon. There will be no charge, and those needing testing are asked to bring insurance information, but they will test at no charge no matter what.
In the meantime, those who were notified of possible exposure or any community members who may have been potentially exposed to people with COVID, or have exposure to large numbers of people, or were traveling on the mainland–for example — may get tested by Ali’i Health at Keauhou Shopping Center on Friday (or any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday) from 9 a.m. until noon, in a drive-through, no advance appointment needed screening and testing.
Aloha Kona Urgent Care will test during their normal hours, today and Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m., or Monday and Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Both Ali’i Health and Aloha Kona Urgent Care ask that you bring insurance information if you have it, but will test patients at no charge if not. For Aloha Kona Urgent Care, if you need COVID-19 testing, they ask you to call once you arrive, to (808) 365-2297.
Hospital employees and contractors are being tested today at the hospital. Kona Hospital Community Development Director Judy Donovan said the hospital will test all patients. She urged those who believe they may have been exposed to get a test.
Ali’i Health, Aloha Kona Urgent Care, and Premier Medical Group all do the deep nasal swab PCR testing, the most reliable available. For all testings, it’s a good idea to bring your own pen to avoid any spread of COVID-19, and please always wear a mask.
Photo is a previous drive-through testing at Old Kona Airport with Hawaii County EMS and fire teams ready to help with the testing.