2020-11-25 Hawaii County Conducts Testing to Launch Mobile Unit -- press release

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Roy Takemoto Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 November 25, 2020 NEWS RELEASE Hawai‘i County Conducts Testing to Launch Mobile Unit Hawai‘i County and its private partner Premier Medical Group conducted a COVID-19 testing session at the County Building on Wednesday as part of the launch of its Mobile Testing Unit. When the Mobile Unit becomes fully deployed with its three vans early next month, testing teams will be able to rapidly go into vulnerable communities or remote populations. They will be integrated into the already-established County drive-through testing sites around the Island as well. Along with the advent of the Mobile Unit, Clinical Labs is now able to process tests on- island, thanks to a newly-arrived Panther Analyzer system that can process up to 1,000 tests in a day, with next-day results. The Mobile Unit tested dozens of County workers at 25 Aupuni Street during a two-hour session. Mayor Harry Kim lined up for his turn to get tested. “This Mobile Testing is an expansion of the County’s testing program, because it adds another resource to the community,” Mayor Kim said. “The Mobile Testing enables us to expand testing as needed, and gives us great flexibility in doing it.” The Mayor noted that Hawai‘i County leads the State in the coverage of the people of Hawai‘i Island with its testing, with more than 22 percent of the Island’s population tested already. The County conducts a comprehensive testing program comprised of:  District testing – Large scale drive-through testing, open to the public on a scheduled basis.  Targeted testing – Testing in an area of concern, but open to the public  Spot testing – Testing in an area identified as of specific concern. This testing focuses on the population in the area of concern, and is not open to the public. For further information, please call Civil Defense at 935-0031. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.