Hawaii County Civil Defense announced yesterday that there will be a drive-through testing for COVID-19 today at West Hawaii Civic Center from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., with Premier Medical Group doing the testing.  There is no charge, although people should bring insurance cards if they have insurance, and identification.  Everybody must wear a mask.

Although Hawaii County Civil Defense did not provide a reason for the last-minute testing addition, it’s known that there are a number of cases that have recently been confirmed in West Hawaii.

There is also testing today and every day at Aloha Kona Urgent Care at Pottery Terrace.  They are open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow, and and are open Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.  Ali’i Health Center at Keauhou Shopping Center does drive-through testing Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Keauhou Shopping Center behind the Regal Cinemas.

University of the Nations in Kona released a statement Thursday that it has 5 locally-contracted COVID-19 cases and previously had 4 travel-related cases.  The statement says “The Campus Medical Team and the Department of Health (DoH) are in communication and have put in place appropriate quarantine measures pre-approved by the DoH.  These earlier cases were isolated immediately, contact tracing performed, and no further spread has occurred. As an added measure of precaution, all incoming personnel before being permitted on to the campus are all rapid tested.”

KTA released a statement on Thursday that the company had been advised that afternoon that one of its employees at the KTA Keauhou location tested positive.   That  employee last worked the previous Saturday.  KTA’s statement said a professional cleaning company deep cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected the store Thursday evening.

There are also reports of positive cases elsewhere in Kailua Kona.

Mayor Kim is urging people to get tested if they have any concerns.  He has repeatedly said that testing is the key to getting our island to help stop the spread of the virus by identifying cases early.

Photo is the Premier Medical team at a previous testing at West Hawaii Civic Center.