Weequahic Park Coronavirus Screenings to Continue – TAPinto.net

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will continue in Essex County Weequahic Park. Three additional dates have been scheduled for Monday, April 20, Wednesday, April 22, and Friday, April 24. Screenings are for Essex County residents only who are symptomatic of the coronavirus and are by appointment only. They will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon; 250 tests will be available each day. Residents must arrive by car.

There are still a significant number of people who submitted a registration for an earlier testing date and were placed on a waiting list. Their information has been kept on file and those placed on the waiting list will be given an appointment to get tested at Weequahic Park in the order their registration was accepted. Residents will be provided with a confirmation number which they must bring with them to their appointment. New registrations will be accepted when the waiting list is exhausted.

“We are pleased to be able to offer additional dates to allow more residents to be tested for the Coronavirus. Testing is the most effective way to determine if a person has the virus and will help us get a handle on how far-reaching it has become,” Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Freeholder President Brendan Gill and Vice President Wayne Richardson announced in a joint statement. “We continue to urge our residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, which include practicing social distancing, washing their hands and staying indoors. We are in a public health crisis and the actions we take today will help reduce the virus’ impact,” they said.

The screenings are being offered to Essex County residents only who are symptomatic of COVID-19. This means anyone wishing to be tested must meet specific testing criteria, which includes a fever of at least 99.6 degrees and respiratory symptoms of shortness of breath. Appointments will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Those who do not meet the criteria were not given an appointment. If you are exhibiting severe symptoms, please contact your local health care provider or local health department for guidance.

Tests are being offered free of charge to Essex County residents. Having health insurance is not a requirement. Follow up contact will be made to assess the continuing health of the person who completed the screening.

Medical personnel from RWJBarnabas Health System, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, University Hospital, Hackensack Hospital, Essex County Hospital and nurses from public schools in Essex County are staffing the testing sites and call-in center. NJIT has provided personal protective equipment (face shields). Security at the site is being provided by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and Newark Police Department.

“We thank the nurses, law enforcement officers and first responders who have stepped up to the front lines by working at our testing site. We appreciate their professionalism and for making our site run smoothly and efficiently,” DiVincenzo, Gill and Richardson said.

Essex County will continue to administer the virus screening as long as supplies of test kits, gowns, facial masks and gloves last.

Residents can help stop the spread of Novel Coronavirus by washing their hands frequently, using hand sanitizer after touching hard surfaces, staying home if they feel sick, practicing social distancing and avoiding spending any time in crowds of people. Residents are also reminded to adhere to restrictions enacted by Governor Phil Murphy, which include a curfew between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. and restrict their traveling unless it is absolutely necessary.

The following is the COVID-19 chart for April 18 provided by the Essex County Office of Public Information:

Cumulative Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Deaths Essex County, NJ
Municipality	4/17/2020 5 p.m.	4/18/20 9 a.m.	Deaths 4/18/20 9 a.m.
Belleville	600	607	34
Bloomfield	599	608	30
Caldwell	74	75	6
Cedar Grove	179	183	29
East Orange	994	1010	73
Essex Fells	16	16	1
Fairfield	75	76	4
Glen Ridge	26	25	4
Irvington	809	826	72
Livingston	328	331	37
Maplewood	174	179	11
Millburn	103	106	4
Montclair	289	291	27
Newark	3652	3721	231
North Caldwell	34	34	2
Nutley	310	313	24
Orange	506	517	37
Roseland	53	54	6
South orange	71	71	4
Verona	81	81	6
West Caldwell	128	129	14
West Orange	641	653	76
Total	9742	9906	732
Negative tests (County)	6637	6755

Statewide positive	78467
Statewide deaths	3840

Social distancing, hand hygiene, and other steps to prevent infection must be followed at all times in all municipalities regardless of the number of cases.
The number of infected individuals in any municipality is likely to be much greater than indicated as this data ONLY includes persons who have been tested and whose lab results have been reported in the State’s data system.
This data will not match any other report since cases are continually entering the system and local health departments may reassign place of residence as appropriate during their investigations.

Read More: Maplewood Coronavirus Update

TAPinto SOMA is an online newspaper serving the Townships of Maplewood and South Orange Village.
TAPinto SOMA is accredited by the New Jersey Press Association, and is a locally owned news organization serving the community.

Sign up for our FREE daily eNews and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Got a news tip or opinion? Email us at acovel@tapinto.net.