A nurse collects a specimen from her colleague on Sunday at the Commonwealth Health Center. Photo by Lori Lyn C. Lirio
CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther Muna said they used the SolGent DiaPlexQ Covid-19 test kits imported from Korea, and conducted the tests in a tent that was set up in the upper parking lot of the hospital.
Also tested were personnel of the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Corrections, and other government front-line staff.
CHCC Director of Nursing Renea Raho said they likewise collected specimens from the first responders assigned to the designated quarantine and isolation sites — Kanoa Resort and the Pacific Islands Club.
“We will bring the tests to the rest of the community as part of the governor’s initiative for a Covid-19, community-based testing,” Muna said, adding that the task force information center will make an announcement.
In addition, she said, CHCC and the task force will bring the viral transport medium to private clinics so they, too, can obtain specimens from their healthcare workers.
“The governor’s Covid-19 Task Force is developing a strategy, which will expand testing to the community,” CHCC stated. “At this time, [front-liners and] community members who have an identified level of risk are being tested for Covid-19.”
