There will be testing for COVID-19, the PCR test to determine if one has COVID-19 now, and also antibody testing, to determine if somebody had COVID-19 already,  in Pahoa on Wednesday,  in Waimea on Friday, and in Kapa’au in North Kohala on Saturday.

-Wednesday, the drive through screening and testing is at Pahoa District Park, 15-3022 Kauhale Street, Pāhoa, on Wednesday, May 13 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

-Friday, the drive through screening and testing is at Waimea District Park in Kamuela on Friday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

-Saturday, the drive through screening and testing is at Kamehameha Park in Kapa‘au, North Kohala, on Saturday, May 16 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

-Monday, May 18, the drive through screening and testing is at Hilo Civic Auditorium, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

For the COVID-19 testing:  on site physicians will conduct a screening to determine if people meet the criteria to be tested.  The screening criteria will be based on guidance of the CDC and the State’s COVID-19 Response Task Force.  According to the CDC, testing priority should be given to those with symptoms of potential COVID-19 infection, including: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, and/or sore throat.  But the CDC defers to state authorities and on-site clinicians for the final decision.  The State Department of Health lists the same symptoms, but adds rhinorrhoea, which is defined as a condition where the nasal cavity is filled with a significant amount of mucus fluid — or commonly known as a runny nose.  The state also adds anorexia, defined as a loss of appetite.  The State also adds as a high priority, persons identified through public health cluster and selected contact investigations — but does not say they must have symptoms.

For the antibody testing:  it will be offered only to those previously identified as having had the Coronavirus, or those with high risk exposures, including healthcare workers, first responders, and family members or those with close contact to known positives. A simple blood draw detects the presence of SARS-Cov2 IgG antibodies in your system.

People who visit the screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID.  Additionally, people are requested to bring their own pen, and any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required.

There is no charge for the COVID-19 PCR test.  For the antibody test, there is a $43 out-of-pocket cost to to people whose medical insurance plans do not cover the antibody test. Call your insurance provider to find out if you’re covered.

For further information, please call  Hawaii County Civil Defense at 935-0031.

There are other sites around the island offering drive-through COVID-19 screening on an ongoing basis.  Click here for a previous story, from May 9, which has a list.