COVID test giveaways continue, 222 new cases Thursday

KAPA‘A — The county anticipated a large turnout for its distribution of at-home COVID-19 tests in Kapa‘a, and that anticipation was right.

Originally scheduled to be held at the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center, the free giveaway of self-tests was moved to the Bryan J. Baptise Sports Complex for a 1 p.m. start time. By 1:05 p.m., every single one of 1,500 test kits were passed out, with participants expressing gratitude for the opportunity to have access to testing.

Today is the final day of distributions, with 1,500 tests available at both the Koloa Neighborhood Center from 9 a.m. to noon and the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center from 1 to 4 p.m.

Individuals are limited to five tests per household at these first-come, first-served events. Households are also eligible to receive four free at-home tests through a federal program at covidtests.gov.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced 222 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the county’s number of active, recorded casts to 755, with nine hospitalized.

As of yesterday, the Department of Public Safety shows that Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center currently has 41 active infections among inmates, and six among staff. All 41 inmates are in medical isolation.

To date, the county has recorded 9,755 infections.

Free testing is available at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A free mobile testing van, with a maximum of 100 tickets, is available at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On Saturday, Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i will host two vaccine clinics open to those ages 5 and older, at Kanuikapono Public Charter School in Anahola and the Kekaha Neighborhood Center from 9 to 11 a.m. at both locations. No appointments are needed.

For a full list of testing sites and more details, visit kauai.gov/covidtest.

For a full list of locations of vaccines for children and adults, visit kauai.gov/vaccine.