Do you feel that you need to be tested for the COVID-19?
First, call your health care provider
• Inform your provider of the symptoms you are experiencing.
• Be prepare to list any recent travel you took to your provider
• Stay home if you’re are sick, practice good hygiene and avoid getting others sick.
• The COVID-19, requires taking a swab from your throat or nose. The results may take three to four days.
Where to find testing locations
• Hospitals, regional testing centers, urgent care facilities, and some doctor’s offices now offer the test. You should call ahead so you know where to go.
Here are some of the sites offering tests. Again, officials say the tests require a doctor’s order:
• Tripler Army Medical Center: Call ahead at 433-6661
• Windward Urgent Care: Call ahead at 808-234-1094
• Kaiser Permanent Hawaii: Call ahead at 808-432-2000
• Queen’s Medical Center (Punchbowl and West Oahu): Call the Queen’s Medical physician hotline — (808) 691-2619 — for information on testing.
• Adventist Health Castle: 808-263-5500
• Molokai General Hospital: Call the Queen’s Medical physician hotline — (808) 691-2619 — for information on testing.
• Hawaii Pacific Health facilities: Kapiolani Medical Center, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center on Oahu, Wilcox Medical Center, and Kauai Medical Clinic on Kauai. Recommend patients to contact their doctor’s office or clinic first for advice before coming in.
What type of tests is available for the COVID-19?
• Antibody test – This test looks for antibodies to a specific viral infection. This is done through a blood sample. If the test is positive, this shows that the person was infected recently or in the past.
An antibody test may not show if you have a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after the infection to make antibodies. There is no current solid data if you have the antibodies to the virus, you are protected from infecting others or will not be infected with the COVID-19 again or even how long the protection might last.
• Viral antigen test – Tells you if you have a current infection. Done through nasal swabs.