KEKAHA — The County of Kaua‘i started its second round of distribution of free COVID-19 home test kits for residents Monday, at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center.
The distribution of the kits provided by the county in partnership with the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Office will continue until April 1.
A gentleman waiting to claim his allotment of five home test kits said he didn’t know what he was going to do with them.
“I dunno,” he said. “It’s free, so I’m here. I’m going to Alaska later this year, so I might bring them with me. Who knows? Maybe I’ll need them.”
During the week-long distribution, about 15,000 kits will be handed out, with a limit of five kits per individual or household, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kay Koike, a local resident, brought her neighbors to collect their free test kits, along with her personal allotment.
“Home test kits are a convenient way to reduce the risk of spreading COVID to others,” said DOH Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman in the county’s announcement.
“If you have symptoms of COVID, use a home test immediately. If your self-test is negative, remain in isolation and repeat the test one or two days later. If you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID, use the test three to four days following exposure, and test again on the fifth day. You can also use the test kits before planning to gather indoors with others, especially people who are unvaccinated, older or immunocompromised,” she said.
Mayor Derek Kawakami was with the crew from the county Department of Parks &Recreation that helped distribute the kits, getting help from a representative of E Ola Mau to facilitate the distribution.
“This is the first time I’m doing this,” a grandmother said. “I’ve never done anything like this before. But it’s for my grandson. He goes to the Kaua‘i Community College, and if he’s not feeling good, then he must get tested. This is for him. It’s for school.”
Following the noon cutoff, the distribution team moved to the Waimea Neighborhood Center to complete the day’s schedule of
distributions.
“As our case numbers continue to drop, we thank our entire community for working together to avoid the spread of this disease,” Kawakami said in the announcement. “We know that testing remains an important tool in this effort, and we are grateful to all our partners for their help in keeping Kaua‘i healthy and safe.”
Today, the free home test kits are available at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center from 9 a.m. to noon, or until the allocated supply is exhausted. The team moves to the Kilauea Neighborhood Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, the test kits will be available at the Hanapepe Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to noon, or until the allocated supply is exhausted. The distribution continues at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
Thursday will have the distributions taking place at the Anahola Clubhouse from 9 a.m. to noon before moving to the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapa‘a from 1 to 4 p.m.
The distribution wraps up Friday, when the test kits will be available at the Koloa Neighborhood Center from 9 a.m. to noon. The final distribution will take place at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
