Essex County Offers More Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing – Newark, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County is extending its drive-through coronavirus testing site with three additional dates next week, officials announced Friday.

Since launching its site with limited dates and tests at Weequahic Park in Newark on March 26, the county has seen a high demand as local COVID-19 cases rise.

Essex County originally offered five testing dates, with the final event scheduled for Friday, April 3. The county is now offering three extra dates:

  • Monday, April 6
  • Wednesday, April 8
  • Friday, April 10

Screenings are by appointment, and are open only to Essex County residents, including those living in Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, East Orange, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn/Short Hills, Montclair, Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.

Tests will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon; 250 tests will be available each day. Residents must arrive by car, officials said.

The screenings are only being offered to people who are symptomatic of the coronavirus that causes 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,” officials stated. “Those who do not meet the criteria will not receive an appointment. If you are exhibiting severe symptoms, please contact your local health care provider or local health department for guidance.”

READ MORE: NJ Coronavirus Updates (Here’s What You Need To Know)

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, officials said.

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

Here’s how to sign up for an appointment, officials said:

“Residents can visit www.EssexCOVID.org, where they will be required to complete a short online screening process before an appointment is scheduled. Residents will be asked several health-related questions and detail any symptoms they have related to the coronavirus. Upon completion of the survey, they will be informed if they are eligible for the screening. If they are eligible, a confirmation number will be provided; residents must bring the confirmation number with them to their appointment. If someone does not have internet access, they can register by calling the Essex County Office of Emergency Management at 973-324-9950. The call-in center will be open form 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. An operator will help them complete the initial survey and issue the confirmation number. Residents must bring the confirmation number with them to their appointment.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Freeholder President Brendan Gill and Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson offered a joint statement about the testing expansion on Friday:

“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. 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.”

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.

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,” DiVincenzo, Gill and Richardson said. “We appreciate their professionalism and for making our site run smoothly and efficiently.”

For those who can’t make it to the Newark testing site, there are other options. Here are four other places in Essex County to get tested for the disease if you’re showing symptoms, which can include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

Patients must be symptomatic of the illness, and should call ahead to tell staff they’re coming and to make sure tests are still available.

  • CEDAR GROVE – American Family Care Urgent Care, 480 Pompton Avenue, 973-239-2300
  • NEWARK – CityMD Newark Urgent Care, 617 Broad Street, 862-201-4596
  • WEST CALDWELL – The Doctors’ Office Urgent Care of West Caldwell, 556 Passaic Avenue, 973-808-2273
  • WEST ORANGE – American Family Care Urgent Care, 464 Eagle Rock Avenue, 973-669-5900

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