Hawaii County Civil Defense, the Mayor’s office, and Premier Medical Group are teaming up to offer COVID-19 at several sites in East Hawaii, because of the wide community spread of the virus on the island–especially in East Hawaii.

Wednesday, there will be testing at Pahoa Regional Park from 9 until 1.  There is also intent to have testing again on Friday in Pahoa, with details coming as soon as they are known.

Talmadge Magno of Hawaii County Civil Defense says there will also be testing in Kea’au, most likely on Thursday and Saturday.  Again, details on where and times will be posted as soon as they are known.  The county wants to offer numerous testing sites in order to get the most people possible tested, and Magno said they’re working to confirm availability of the testing sites.

Everybody coming to be tested must wear a face mask of some kind.  In addition, if you have insurance, please bring the information, but insurance is not required.

Mayor Harry Kim has said it’s important to provide the testing and for the maximum number of people to get tested in order to be able to find out who has the virus and help them get isolated and properly cared for.  The Big Island as of Tuesday at noon had 190 active cases, with 383 cumulative.

The number of cases more than tripled in the month of August.  On August 1, the island’s case count was 115 with zero active cases.  Almost all of the cases have not been caused by visitors or travel, but have been spreading within the community.