Today,  Premier Health will provide a free drive-through COVID-19 testing at Kea’au High School, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  (Note, for those who had been previously advised the testing today would be at Prince Kuhio Shopping Center–it’s not, it’s at Kea’au High School.)

No insurance is necessary to be tested, but please bring your insurance card if you have one.  There is no co-pay for the individuals being tested.

Please be sure to wear a face covering at all times, and observe social distancing.

Given the outbreak of COVID-19 on the island, with at least 255 active cases on the island, most at this point in East Hawaii, Mayor Harry Kim is asking people to get tested.  It’s especially important if you have been at a gathering and people were not wearing masks and/or not distancing, or you know you have been close to somebody with COVID-19, or you’re in contact with large numbers of people (store employees, health care workers, first responders, for example).

There is also testing in Miloli’i Village, only for residents there.

For the most recent update from Friday from the State on the state and local situation regarding COVID-19, click here.

As of Friday afternoon, Hilo Medical Center had 11 people hospitalized with COVID-19, and Kona Community Hospital had 1.  North Hawaii Community Hospital had zero.

The people in the scary-looking hazmat suits are not scary at all–they are with Premier Medical Group and they will be part of the testing team.