Drive-thru testing continues for symptomatic patients
EDITOR’S NOTE: On Friday, April 24, the Cape May County Department of Health reported an additional 26 new cases of COVID-19 in the county, but no new deaths. Fifteen of the cases are in Dennis Township, six in Woodbine, three in Middle Township and two in Lower Township. The new total countywide is 271.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
Upper Township and Ocean City have 23 and 16 active cases of COVID-19, respectively, as of Thursday, April 23, according to the Cape May County Department of Health.
The two leading communities in the county are Lower Township with 46 active cases and Middle Township with 39.
Three new cases were reported Thursday in Upper Township and that six people are now off quarantine. There are two COVID-19-related fatalities in the township. In Ocean City, four people have been listed as off quarantine.
On Wednesday, April 22, the Department of Health reported two more deaths, a 97-year-old male and a 77-year-old male.
Of the 17 deaths from COVID-19 in the county, 13 are in Lower Township, which reported five new cases over the past two days. There also are 17 people now off quarantine in Lower Township.
Most of the infections and deaths were due to a breakout among residents and staff at the Victoria Manor long-term facility in North Cape May in Lower Township, but county officials can no longer provide exact numbers there due to state regulations and privacy concerns.
Around the county, there are now 15 active cases in Wildwood, 10 in Dennis Township (and one death), eight in Woodbine (and one death), four in Wildwood Crest, three in North Wildwood, and one each in West Cape May and Cape May.
There are now 166 active cases countywide and 62 now off quarantine for a total of 245.
Test continues for symptomatic patients
The county Health Department in partnership with CompleteCare Health Network are continuing their drive-thru clinic on Wednesdays by appointment only.
The county offered the following guidelines for who can be tested and how to make an appointment:
At this time, testing will only be for CompleteCare patients, as well as Cape May County residents, who are sick with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and that meet a certain criteria. Symptomatic first responders who are residents of the county will also be given priority testing. In order to receive testing, individuals can go to CompleteCareNJ.org/COVID19 or call (609) 465-0258 and request to be screened. Web registration is the best.
Process for scheduling an appointment for COVID-19 drive-thru testing is on CompleteCareNJ.org/COVID19.
If you are not a CompleteCare patient – obtain a script from your doctor. Once you have the script do the following: Go to completecarenj.org website
- Read statement click I understand
- Click request an appointment on right of screen
- Complete requested information
- Await call from CompleteCare staff to review symptoms
- CompleteCare will forward script to Health Department
- Health Department staff will call and schedule the appointment
“Most individuals have mild symptoms and are able to recover at home. If you can maintain your symptoms at home, we urge you to do so. Testing requires personal protective equipment, which we want to preserve for our first responders,” county Health Officer Kevin Thomas said.
The testing site is not being disclosed to protect the confidentiality and safety of our residents. The location of the testing site will be given to individuals who are approved for testing and have been explained the proper procedures. The testing site will be by appointment only to assure a timely and efficient flow.
If you feel that you should be tested visit CompleteCareNJ.org/COVID19 or call (609) 465-0258 and request an appointment to be screened by a provider. Once an individual is approved for testing a prescription will be electronically sent to Cape May County Department of Health, who will call the patient with an appointment time and location.