COVID-19 Drive Through Testing Begin Monday on Maui

War Memorial Gymnasium parking lot drive through testing site. (3.17.20) PC: Courtesy to Maui Now.

Drive-through testing for COVID-19 will begin Monday, March 23, 2020, at the War Memorial Gym parking lot at 700 Halia Nakoa Street, the Maui District Health Office announced.

People with respiratory flu-like symptoms and want to be tested must call to make an appointment. The testing site will not accept anyone who has not made an appointment.

To make an appointment, call (808) 270-7228. Calls will be answered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Saturday, March 21, 2020.

If the phone line is busy or there’s no answer, do not leave a voicemail. Call alternate phone numbers: (808) 500-8118; (808) 500-8117; or (808) 500-8120.

“We need everyone’s help and cooperation to make this a success,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Per the Maui District Health Office, whether you’re tested or not, most people with mild symptoms are able to recover from home and on their own.”

Callers will be screened to see if they are eligible for testing and will be given further instructions. Screening is limited by the number of test kits available.

The testing is a joint effort by the Maui District Health Office; Kaiser Clinics; County of Maui; and Maui Memorial Medical Center, Maui Health Systems.

The mission of the drive-through testing is to minimize stress on resources and personnel at Maui Memorial. People who need urgent medical attention should call their primary care provider or go to Maui Memorial (call ahead, if possible), which may screen and test patients, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.

People who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms should stay at home and self-quarantine in order to prevent the spread of disease. Self-monitoring and social distancing are encouraged.

Strict disease prevention measures will be in place for healthcare workers and the public who attend the drive through testing, according to DOH. People with appointments will have a dedicated lane for drive-through testing.

The test for coronavirus involves taking a swab from the patient’s throat or nose. Samples will be sent to the Mainland, with results available in about three days. People who’re tested will receive instructions on what to do while waiting for test results.

The County of Maui is assisting with staging and preparing the parking lot area for drive-through testing. Entry and exit to Halia Nakoa Street, fronting War Memorial Gym, will be through the parking lot’s Kanaloa Avenue entrance from the south.

The Kanaloa Avenue/Little League Field bus stop on the Wailuku Loop route 1 will not be in service starting Monday, March 23, due to the drive-thru testing. The bus stop will remain closed until further notice.

“I want to thank Lt. Gov. Josh Green for coordinating with us to bring critically needed testing capabilities to our island,” Mayor Victorino said. “I also want to thank Kaiser, Maui Health Systems and our Maui District Health Office for stepping up to administer this testing, which will give us vital information to limit and learn the extent of coronavirus spread in our community.”

• For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/.
• For more information, specific to Maui County, visit mauicounty.gov.