COVID-19 lab now also at HNL International Airport
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that the City and County of Honolulu, in partnership with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii Consortium, opened a mobile testing lab for COVID-19 that can process up to 10,000 tests a day at the state’s largest airport.
“Testing is a critical part of our COVID-19 response, and I commend Mayor Caldwell and the City for collaborating with community partners to add capacity and further protect our community,” said Governor David Ige. “While the mobile testing lab is not an option for incoming trans-pac travelers, it will be an easy and quick option for those who need a test to travel to other islands and for personal reasons.”
“Our COVID-19 testing lab is a strong layer of protection for our community’s health and a vital part of our strategy to safely reopen O‘ahu,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “I am grateful for the swift work of our partners in quickly standing up this this facility to help create a COVID-safe island.”
The National Kidney Foundation Hawaii has been involved in the COVID-19 response since March 2020. “We were the first in the nation to provide isolated transport for dialysis patients under investigation of having COVID-19. This mobile lab and everything surrounding it, is another key response to protect our chronically ill patients who are most the vulnerable from this virus,” stated Glen Hayashida, President and CEO of National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii.
Initially, tests are available for first responders and their families, DOT Airport workers, and City workers. It will be open 7 days a week from 9:00am to 5:00pm. These times will be adjusted in the future according to need.
It also has the potential to be used for flights to Japan, to avoid the 14 day quarantine upon arriving in Japan. However, this would require the approval of the Japanese Government, which has not yet been sought.
Mayor Caldwell told Hawaii News Online, those wanting to get a test before leaving to the US Mainland can do so. He also pointed out this lab will help tremendously with testing for Interisland travelers.
The lab, which opened on November 1, can process test results in 3 to 6 hours and is staffed with a team of local health care professionals.
The City invested $16 million in CARES Act funding in the facility. It meets the requirements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
People can visit kidneyhi.org or OneOahu.org for more information about the airport testing lab.
