There is free COVID-19 testing today in both Kona and Hilo, and you don’t need symptoms or known exposure to someone with COVID-19 to get tested.   Around 40% of the cases of COVID-19 are in people who have no symptoms, or very minor symptoms.  Some with minor symptoms don’t recognize them as potential COVID-19 symptoms–minor chills, congestion, cough, or headache.

Testing today–both drive-through:

—West Hawaii Civic Center parking lot, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m

—Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Positivity rates in the last 14 days have been 11.7% in Ocean View (96737), 6.5% in Pepeekeo (96783), 6.5% in Papaikou (96781), and 3.7% in Kailua-Kona (96740).  These are the four highest positivity rates on the island.  Kailua-Kona added 88 new cases in the past 14 days.

No insurance is necessary to be tested, but please bring your insurance card if you have one.  Hawaii County is covering the co-pay for individuals being tested out of Federal CARES funds, which are dedicated to covering expenses incurred because of COVID-19.

There is also free testing Monday by Ali’i Health at Keauhou Shopping Center, in a drive-through test site behind the Regal Cinemas.  The testing goes from 9 a.m. until noon.

There is also COVID-19 testing, with no symptoms needed, at Pahoa Pharmacy, 15-2660 Pahoa Village Rd #205, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Nov. 16, 17, and 18.  This is testing initiated when the U.S. Surgeon General,  Jerome Adams, came to the state because the state’s COVID-19 numbers were growing back in August.  To sign up for a COVID-19 test at the Pahoa Pharmacy, go online to doineedaCOVID19test.com  Use the zip code 96778 to be connected to the test signup.

Please be sure to wear a face covering at all times, and observe social distancing at all of the COVID-19 test sites.

Photo are Premier Medical Group personnel at West Hawaii Civic Center as testing got underway at a previous testing.