Demand Continues For Essex County Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing – Newark, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County has increased coronavirus testing capability at its drive-thru testing site at Weequahic Park in Newark, which will now offer up to 600 tests per event, officials say.

On Sunday, county officials announced that additional dates for the drive-thru COVID-19 testing site have been added, as high demand continues among local residents. (Learn more about eligibility or make an appointment here)

The new dates will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, April 27, Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1.

Residents who have previously registered for testing and been put on a waiting list will be prioritized in the order they were accepted. New registrations will be taken when the current waiting list is exhausted, officials said.

The testing site in Weequahic Park has ramped up its capability since debuting last month, when it started off with 100 to 150 tests per day. After the initial dates were swamped by anxious county residents, officials beefed up the number of available tests to 250 and offered another round of testing.

It still wasn’t enough.

Now, the testing site will be offering up to 600 tests each day, officials said.

“We are pleased to be able to offer additional dates to allow more residents to be tested for the coronavirus,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo,Jr., Freeholder President Brendan Gill and Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson said in a joint statement.

“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,” DiVincenzo, Gill and Richardson said. “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.”

ELIGIBILITY, HOW TO APPLY

According to Essex County officials, screenings are only open to Essex County residents who are symptomatic of the coronavirus.

Tests are available by appointment only, and residents must arrive by car. Residents will be provided with a confirmation number which they must bring with them to their appointment.

Officials 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.”

County officials said:

“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.”

Learn more here.

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

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.

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