Kaua‘i COVID-19 testing centers close next month

The County of Kaua‘i’s mobile COVID-19 testing van, as well as its testing center at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhuʻe, will close at the end of February.

“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,” Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said in a statement released by the county on Wednesday. “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.”

The testing centers’ final day of operations is set for Feb. 28.

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, according to Kaua‘i county.

“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 Covid.gov/tests or calling 1-800-232-0233.

In addition, the county is partnering with KDHO to distribute free home tests this spring at various neighborhood centers on the island. County officials will release more information about 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.