Hilo Medical Center will be distributing 3,600 home COVID-19 testing kits at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium beginning Monday.
After receiving a grant from the Rural Health Clinic COVID Testing Program, HMC was able to acquire two shipments of 4,000 home COVID-19 testing kits.
The first shipment came in last week, and 400 tests have already been distributed to Ka‘u residents.
On Monday, families will have the opportunity to get testing kits for each person in their household during the giveaway, which will begin at 11 a.m. near KTA Pharmacy’s walk-in vaccine clinic at the Butler Building.
“Getting this shipment last week was wonderful timing with the holidays,” said HMC spokeswoman Elena Cabatu. “With the KTA vaccine clinic around the corner, we hope to encourage people to get vaccines, boosters and the home testing kit in time for their holiday plans.”
The home kits are rapid COVID-19 nasal swab tests called Quickvue, which usually run at about $24 for a pack of two tests.
With growing concerns about the omicron variant and an increase in cases statewide, continued testing, vaccinations and social distancing will be the best way to help stop the spread of the virus, especially during the holidays, according to Kauai District Health Officer Janet Berreman.
“Home tests are available commercially, which gives people another way to be responsible for their own individual health,” Berreman said. “To people who are visiting elderly residents over the holidays, it could be prudent to test themselves for that extra level of safety and precaution.”
Home COVID-19 tests are available statewide at pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens, although they are not always in stock.
“We really want people to have to opportunity to feel safe this holiday and have a true Christmas with their families,” said Rural Health Clinics Administrator Lauri Redus. “It’s difficult to obtain tests, so we will be taking advantage of this opportunity and will saturate the community with tests.”
HMC is asking people to park near the civic and stand in line for the tests to alleviate any traffic.
When the second shipment comes in after the new year, HMC plans to distribute those to its primary health clinics as well as the Keaau and Pahoa communities.
Nomi Health also is hosting community testing clinics in Keaau five days a week and in Hilo six days a week.
Nomi Health is offering PCR tests and rapid COVID-19 tests that produce results within the hour.
Testing in Hilo is located at the Waiakea Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Testing in Keaau is located at the Sure Foundation from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Community testing is helpful for employees who need a negative test to come to work, people about to travel, and those planning on visiting vulnerable family or friends.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
