Dr. David Derauf of Kokua Kalihi Valley joined the COVID-19 Care Conversation today. He said increased testing is vital to containing the spread of the coronavirus in Hawaii and lauded Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s recently announced $2 million investment from the city to expand testing.

Dr. Derauf pointed out that many communities have been left out of the drive-thru testing model, for example people who are elderly and do not drive, or those who cannot afford a car.

He spoke about the changes his clinic has gone through in the wake of the coronavirus, including transitioning to tele-health. While the number of new COVID-19 cases appears to be flattening, he warned that now is not the time to for the community to let their guard down, and encouraged everyone to continue to stay home, wash their hands, and wear a mask when interacting with others.

Watch here and submit your questions through our Facebook page. Be sure to join us Thursday when State Senate President Ron Kouchi will be our guest.

The COVID-19 Care Conversation, sponsored by Hawai’i Executive Collaborative, airs live every weekday at 10:30 a.m. on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Facebook page. Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji discuss the latest news, resources and community concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.