Testing available at 7 neighbor island sites; Expected to expand to O‘ahu
HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is expanding its network of free COVID-19 community testing through a partnership with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii Consortium and independent pharmacies across the state.
The program is rolling out at locations on Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Maui, Lanaʻi and Molokaʻi. Click here for a list of participating pharmacies.
“DOH is working to make free testing available all across the state, especially as demand remains high,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. “This program immediately increases access to free testing for neighbor island residents. We continue to urge Hawaiʻi residents to use all the tools available to them to stop this surge and protect themselves and their families.”
“We are truly thankful to our community partners,” said Glen Hayashida, President & CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. “The combination of having a comprehensive range of testing from the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii Consortium and easy access to vaccinations from the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network is a major weapon in our battle against this pandemic as we fight to save lives and keep communities open and accessible.”
Pre-registration at PreventCOVIDHI.com is recommended. Testing sites offer PCR mid-turbinate testing. Results are expected to be provided the same day via email.
Many sites also offer COVID-19 vaccinations. The program is expected to expand to pharmacies on Oʻahu.
This program augments Hawaii’s network of free community testing. A list of testing options is available at HawaiiCOVID19.com/testing.
# # #
Denby Fawcett: Why So Few People Are Getting The New Covid Shot
Experts are worried about the lack of interest as people are still suffering from the virus and long Covid. By Denby Fawcett Original article on Civil Beat, November 7, 2023 I keep a card in my [...]
Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 ends on May 11, 2023
HONOLULU, HI –The federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, will expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. As the PHE [...]
Seniors now eligible for additional COVID-19 bivalent booster dose, COVID vaccine recommendations simplified
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) supports the latest recommendations announced yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allowing an additional dose of the bivalent booster against the virus [...]
Hawai‘i COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) reports a rise in the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The number of total positive COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased over the past week (3/26 – 4/4) from [...]
Wastewater Samples Show Higher COVID Concentrations & New Subvariant
The Hawai‘i State Department of Health’s most recent Wastewater Surveillance Report documents two significant developments about COVID-19 in Hawai‛i. Higher concentrations of the virus that causes COVID-19 The arrival of the XBB.1.5 subvariant Higher concentrations [...]
Bivalent boosters for keiki as young as 6 months
Updated COVID-19 bivalent boosters are now available in all counties for keiki as young as six months of age. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorization for the bivalent boosters [...]