Drive-thru testing to begin April 15 by appointment only
By DAVID NAHAN/Cape May Star and Wave
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County Department of Health is reporting the third death related to the COVID-19 virus as the number of cases in the county increased by 11 for a total of 111 Wednesday, April 8.
The latest person to succumb to the coronavirus is an 81-year-old resident of Lower Township. The township has a third of all the COVID-19 cases in the county with 37.
The majority are attributed to the breakout of the coronavirus at Victoria Manor, a long-term care facility in North Cape May where health officials say 15 residents and 12 staff members have been infected.
There are now two people from Victoria Manor who have died. The third fatality in the county was a resident of Upper Township.
Breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases
Lower Township has 37 active cases of COVID-19 and Middle Township has 17. These are the only communities with cases in the double digits.
Ocean City and Wildwood have seven cases each, Upper Township has six, and Wildwood Crest and Dennis Township have five each. Avalon has four cases, North Wildwood has two and Cape May City, West Cape May and West Wildwood have one each, the county Health Department reported late Wednesday afternoon.
There are no reported active cases in Sea Isle City, Cape May Point, Stone Harbor and Woodbine.
Fifteen people are now off quarantine, leaving the number active cases at 93 in the county. Three people are off quarantine in Middle Township, two each in Cape May City, Avalon, Lower Township and Ocean City, and one each in North Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Upper Township and Wildwood.
Drive-thru testing site opens April 15
The department said the new drive-thru COVID-19 testing site – which is being opened in partnership with the CompleteCare Health Network – will be testing on consecutive Wednesdays beginning April 15. It is by appointment only.
“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,” the Department of Health announced. “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.”
The county listed the following information to set up an appointment:
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 Complete Care staff to go over symptoms
- Complete Care 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 in the release late Wednesday afternoon.
The location of the site is not being revealed to protect confidentiality and the safety of county residents. It will be given to those who are given an appointment.
“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 the health department and Cape May County Department of Health will call the patient with an appointment time and location,” the department advised.
The Department of Health provided the following information:
CompleteCare accepts Medicaid, Medicare as well as private insurance plans and those without insurance. The test will be free of charge and no co-pay will be required for the screening. Translation services are available for those in need.
The Cape May County Department of Health and CompleteCare Health Network will work to ensure people are informed of their results in a timely manner. There is no vaccine or treatment currently for COVID-19, the best thing to do is protect yourself. Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick include:
- Stay home except to get medical care. Most individuals with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. It is important that you do not leave your home, except to get medical care.
- Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Make sure you to get care if you are having trouble breathing.
- Monitor your symptoms. Common symptoms include fever and cough. Trouble breathing is a more serious symptom that means you should get medical attention but call first.
- Do not visit public places and avoid public transportation.
- Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as “home isolation.” You want to stay away from others as much as possible. Create a “sick room” if possible.
- Call your doctor ahead before visiting. Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid sharing personal household items.
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day.
CompleteCare is not testing patients for COVID-19 at its health centers. Do not come to any CompleteCare location or the Health Department for testing. If symptoms worsen, individuals should immediately contact their healthcare provider. Be sure to call before going to any healthcare facility to assure they take the proper precautions.
Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System hotline at 211 or 1-800-962-1253, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at www.who.int, the New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net, also like us on Facebook.
