HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230111MO.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: January 11, 2023
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
(808) 241-4900
County COVID testing centers to close at the end of February
LĪHUʻE – The County of Kaua‘i is announcing that its COVID-19 testing centers at the Kaua‘i War
Memorial Convention Hall and mobile van sites will close at the end of February. The final day is set for
Feb. 28, 2023.
“We are incredibly grateful to our partners with the Kaua‘i District Health Office, Kaua‘i
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Parks and Recreation, and all our past and present
staff of our COVID testing sites for keeping our community safe,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.
“Most importantly, I want to thank our residents and visitors for your commitment these past three
years to keeping Kaua‘i one of the safest places in the country during the pandemic.”
Free COVID testing at the convention hall began in October 2020, with mobile testing available
since July 2021. To date, almost 90,000 COVID-19 rapid PCR tests have been run across the Convention
Hall and mobile testing sites.
“Mahalo to the County and all those who have staffed the testing centers,” said Dr. Janet
Berreman, Kaua‘i District Health Officer. “Our community has been fortunate to have such robust and
accessible testing, especially during the COVID-19 surges we saw last year. Fortunately, home tests are
now widely available and are very effective. Please order your free home test kits now, if you haven’t
already done so.”
Free home COVID tests provided by the federal government are available to households via mail
by visiting www.covid.gov/tests or calling 1-800-232-0233.
In addition, the County is partnering with KDHO to distribute free home tests in spring at various
neighborhood centers on the island. More information will be available for those events in future
updates.
A home test is recommended for the following:
- If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, etc;
- At least five days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19;
- Note that if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19, one negative home test is not
enough to be sure you aren’t infected. You should test again after 48 hours;
- When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those at risk of severe disease or
may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
Officials continue to advise the public to stay home when sick, get tested when ill or exposed,
stay up to date on COVID vaccinations, avoid large gatherings, and wear masks in crowded indoor
settings.
For more important updates and resources, visit the State Department of Health’s website,
hawaiicovid19.com, or call the Kaua‘i District Health Office at 808-241-3495.
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