Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson announced Monday, April 6, the plan for a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in the parking lot at the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing has been approved by the state.
Testing will be by appointment for county residents who are symptomatic for COVID-19 and have a doctor’s script, according to county Public Information Officer Linda Gilmore. “Individuals who are not experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness will not be able to be tested. Testing the worried well diverts limited resources from those who need them most and inundates the laboratory with specimens unlikely to test positive, according to state officials.”
“We recognize that there are many people who would like to be tested to help allay their fears and concerns, but unfortunately we only have so many test kits available and the state has restricted testing to symptomatic residents only,” Levinson stated in the announcement. “But the reality is, whether you test positive or not, we must all do our part by adhering to the social distancing requirements to protect ourselves and our communities. That truly is our best defense to reduce the spread.”
The county will perform its first testing on Thursday, April 9 for symptomatic health care workers and first responders by appointment through the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Gilmore said. Public testing for symptomatic county residents with a doctor’s script will begin the week of April 13 and instructions for making appointments will be forthcoming.
She noted the county obtained 600 test kits and the necessary personal protective equipment for the drive-thru facility. Results will be reported to the Division of Public Health. Its staff will contact residents who test positive upon confirmation.
