This afternoon, Hawaii County Civil Defense announced there is free drive-through COVID-19 testing  on Saturday, October 3 at the West Hawaii Community Center at 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kona from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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

Neither the Department of Health nor Hawaii County Civil Defense has released information about why the sudden addition of the test site in Kona, but below is a map showing there are cases in the Kailua-Kona area.  The map indicates that there have been between 35 and 57 new cases in the area within the past 28 days.  KTA Superstores closed its Keauhou location on Thursday night for a deep cleaning after it had an employee who had last worked on Sept. 26 test positive.

Hilo has had 109 new cases in the past 28 days, and today there was testing at Afook Chinen Auditorium.  The County has a full schedule of testing for next week around the island.

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