Essex County Launches Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Site

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A drive-through testing site for the new coronavirus will open Thursday for Essex County residents who are symptomatic of COVID-19.

The testing site will be located at Weequahic Park in Newark. It will open on Thursday, March 26 and continue on Saturday, March 28. Essex County officials said 100 tests per day will be performed.

The site will open again next week. County officials said 150 tests per day will be done on the following dates:

• Monday, March 30
• Wednesday, April 1
• Friday, April 3

The testing site is only for 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.

Appointments are mandatory, and residents must arrive by car. Screenings are only being offered to people who are “symptomatic of COVID-19.”

Officials said:

“This means anyone wishing to be tested musty 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 3 p.m. 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.”

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.

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, 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.”

People without a car can call the Essex County Office of Emergency Management Hotline at 973-324-9950.

The result of a massive team-up between county and local health care workers, the testing site is being supported by 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. Security at the site is being provided by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and Newark Police Department.

“The most effective way that elected officials and public health professionals can get a handle on how far reaching COVID-19 has become is to test residents for the virus,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Freeholder President Brendan Gill and Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson said in a joint statement.

“These screenings are in high demand and we ask for the public’s cooperation throughout this process,” DiVincenzo, Gill and Richardson stated. “We encourage our residents to continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and not place themselves in situations where they may be exposed.”

Learn about other measures Essex County has been taking to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

• See related article: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
• See related article: 4 'Pop-Up' Hospitals Coming To NJ To Battle Coronavirus

Essex County officials offered the following safety tips:

“Residents can help stop the spread of the 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.”

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