There is screening and testing for COVID-19 today at Prince Kuhio Plaza parking lot across from Macy’s, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., according to this morning’s Hawaii County Civil Defense message.

Although yesterday the State Department of Health only reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 for the Big Island, the number of active cases is around 282, out of 517 total cases.  The number of cases on August 1 was 115, with zero active, so the island’s COVID-19 case increase in the past six weeks has been concerning.  Since August 30, 8 residents of the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home have died from COVID-19.

Anybody who has been at a large gathering, or know they’ve been exposed, or has any concerns, is urged to come for this free drive-through testing.

Testing is being conducted by the Premier Medical Group under contract with Hawaii County, at no cost to those getting tested.  Mayor Harry Kim wants everybody to do all they can to stop the spread of the virus, and that includes getting tested.