Hawaii County Civil Defense has confirmed there will be COVID-19 testing this Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, at three locations:

•  Afook Chinen Auditorium in Hilo, from 8 a.m. until noon

•  West Hawaii Civic Center at the intersection of Ane Keohokalole Highway and Kealakehe Parkway, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

•  Kea’au High School, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

The testing is drive-through, and everybody in the vehicle must wear a cloth face covering or mask.  Please bring your photo I.D. and your insurance card if you have insurance, although insurance is not needed to be tested.

You do not have to have symptoms of COVID-19 to get the test.  Since more than 40% of the cases are in people with no symptoms, the virus can spread without people knowing they have it.  And with variants that are more contagious now being found in the United States, it’s important to get tested.

Photo is Hawaii County EMTs ready to assist with testing at a previous drive-through testing.