COVID-19 testing site opens in Mercer County

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Mercer County New Jersey COVID 19 Update

COVID-19 TESTING SITE OPENS IN MERCER COUNTY

COVID-19 testing site

Mercer County’s appointment-only, drive-up testing site for COVID-19 had a soft opening today, sampling 70 patients on an abbreviated schedule.

“We’re working out a few bugs but overall we’re very pleased with the way things went today,” Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said. "Everyone is working hard and we’re geared up for a full day of testing tomorrow.”

The testing center at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence is by appointment only for symptomatic Mercer County residents age 18 or older who have a prescription from their primary health care provider (PCP). If you are symptomatic for COVID-19 and want to be tested, contact your PCP.

Your doctor must fax your prescription to the site's appointment makers.  Those who show up and who do not have an appointment will not be able to be tested.

The testing center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is a collaborative effort between the County of Mercer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Capital Health System, St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton and the Trenton Health Team.

Mercer County has contracted with Bio-Reference Laboratories, which will provide testing for individuals who are symptomatic and have been scheduled through their PCP.

To be eligible for testing, an individual must be examined by a PCP. The PCP will determine the need for the test based on symptoms. No one should be tested without being symptomatic. If the PCP deems a test is necessary, they will fax a prescription to the Mercer County call center with the patient’s phone number. Staff will then call the patient, take registration information and schedule an appointment, providing testing site instructions.

For the health, safety and security of staff at the site, patients will not be permitted to leave their vehicles. Walk-ups are not permitted.

If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, the State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides a self-assessment tool that will help you determine whether you should be tested. Visit self.covid19.nj.gov.


PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DONATIONS SOUGHT

N95 mask

The nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment needed in the battle against COVID-19 is impacting first responders and health care professionals in Mercer County, and the County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is asking for your help.

If you, your organization or someone you know can donate of any of the items listed below to aid Mercer County’s first responders and health care professionals, please complete the form at one of the links provided.

• N95 Masks
• Eye Protectors (Face Shield; Goggles; Other Eye Protectors)
• Sterile Gowns
• Medically Rated Gloves
• Regular Masks
• Surgical Masks
• Procedural Masks
• Alternative respirators that OSHA has given permission to use in health care during this historic pandemic
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Other Disinfecting Products

Please fill out the electronic PPE -Equipment Donation Form or download the PPE-Equipment Donation Form and email it to the Mercer County Office of Emergency Management at oem@mercercounty.org or fax it to (609) 799-7067. You can also reach out to OEM at (609) 281-7228.


Flatten the Curve

WASH YOUR HANDS. STAY AT HOME.

To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect the capacity of New Jersey's health care system for the state's most vulnerable, all residents are under a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Phil Murphy. Executive Order No. 107 provides for certain exceptions, such as obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, visiting family or close friends, reporting to work, or engaging in outdoor activities. It also directs the closure of all non-essential retail businesses to the public. Find more information at COVID19.nj.gov.


HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19? 

The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the public on COVID-19:
Call: 2-1-1
Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Visit covid19.nj.gov or nj.gov/health for additional information


GENERAL PUBLIC FAQs

New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides answers to frequently asked questions the public may have about coronavirus disease.


COPING WITH STRESS

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's Mental Health Hotline at 877-294-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517).


BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

For information on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus and its impact on businesses – including resources, assistance and regulations -- visit the State of New Jersey business portal and the Mercer County Office of Economic Development.


CDC monitor

CURRENT STATUS

The New Jersey Department of Health on March 31 announced 2,196 new positive cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 18,696, with 267 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 2,909; Mercer County has 268. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more information. 

The CDC on March 31 announced a total of 163,539 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 2,860 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For more information about COVID-19 visit covid19.nj.gov or cdc.gov.


COVID-19 Information Hub