COVID testing demand surges

Demand for COVID-19 testing skyrocketed Wednesday in Hilo.

Hundreds of people lined up in their cars and waited hours Wednesday afternoon to be tested at the county’s drive-thru testing site at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

The county initially ended its district testing program in May after 52% of the island’s population received at least one vaccination shot.

Hawaii County now has the highest test positivity rate, 7.8%, in the state.

The state Department of Health reported 63 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and is monitoring 845 active cases, with 21 persons hospitalized, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

KTA Super Stores will begin administering the county’s free, drive-thru COVID-19 tests at locations in Hilo, Waimea and Kailua-Kona.

This month, KTA will be located at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and the Kona Aquatic Center from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Beginning Saturday, Aug. 14, KTA will offer drive-thru testing at Waimea District Park from 12 p.m. 4 p.m. on Saturdays this month.

More locations for testing and vaccinations can be found on the county’s website at https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/covid-19-testing.