The demand for COVID-19 testing remains high as case counts climb following the New Year’s holiday weekend.
According to the state Department of Health, 508 new cases were reported Thursday on Hawaii Island, the highest number in a single day.
With the rampant spread of COVID-19, more testing locations have opened to alleviate long lines and get people tested faster.
Last week, Hawaii County opened test sites across the island, with TrueCare24 contracted to conduct the testing.
“We opened these last week when we started to feel like there was going to be a huge surge in cases,” said Civil Defense staff officer Tom Olson. “We have a lot of people who want to get tested. The demand remains high, and we want to make that available to everyone.”
TrueCare24 is testing people at locations in Hilo, Kona, Pahoa, Waimea, Naalehu, Pahala, Captain Cook and North Kohala.
The full calendar of testing times and locations can be found at https://bit.ly/hicountytesting.
While many test sites were plagued by long lines at the beginning of the week, wait times have decreased as more locations have opened.
On Monday, Nomi Health tested 736 people before running out of tests midafternoon.
From Saturday, Jan. 1, to Tuesday, Jan. 3, Nomi tested 2,016 people at the Waiakea Center in Hilo, and another 2,016 tests were conducted at Nomi’s site at the Sure Foundation church in Keaau.
“Nomi Health is testing as many people as can be scheduled with existing supplies,” said field operations manager Ailana Meyer. “This surge is unprecedented, and wait times are longer than expected because the number of people coming for testing is increasing daily.”
Nomi Health is continuing its efforts at both East Hawaii locations and encourages people to schedule a test and preregister on its website at nomihealth.com/Hawaii. The company also plans to expand to Waikoloa Village later this month.
The site at Waiakea Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and the Sure Foundation site is open 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday to Friday.
KTA Pharmacy Puainako also has started offering rapid PCR COVID-19 tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.
While KTA Puainako was much busier last week, it still has been conducting 200 tests a day this week and is filling every available appointment slot.
“I think we’ve finally become more efficient with testing, and we have a good system down so we don’t get backed up,” said tester Christina Requelman. “Many people are needing tests, so we’re glad we can fill any gap with the surge right now.”
Appointments for testing can be made at https://www.ktasuperstores.com/pharmacy.
The county plans to keep its testing locations open through the end of the month and into February, if there is still a need.
“To alleviate the spread, get boosted, double-mask with KN95 or KN94 masks, avoid large gatherings, gather outdoors and social distance. Isolate for five days if you test positive,” Meyer said. “By doing your part, you can help stop the spread to keep our community safe.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com