EDISON – Some 156 COVID-19 tests were administered to Middlesex County residents on the opening day of the drive-thru testing facility at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Kilmer Vehicle Inspection Center in Edison.
Those wishing to be tested are required to make an appointment and meet a set of criteria. Kimberly Burnett, public information officer for Middlesex County, said the site had 200 test kits ready.
Slowly but surely cars started trickling in when the drive-thru opened at 10 a.m. on April 1. Officials wearing masks and personal protective gear were on hand to make sure the people coming through had their paperwork and then they would make their way through the motor vehicle center for testing.
“Thanks to the combined effort and dedication of all staff and officials involved, we were able to bring additional testing to our county residents which will aid our Office of Health Services in developing plans and actions to attempt to flatten the curve in our county,” Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios said.
Middlesex County ranks sixth in the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases, behind Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Union and Hudson counties.
Rios commended county staff and emergency personnel for their efforts in a smooth first day, including the Middlesex County Department of Public Safety and Health; Office of Health Services; Office of Emergency Management and Preparedness; Sheriff’s Office, Hazmat Program; Bureau of Fire Marshal; Division of Environmental and Solid Waste; Medical Reserve Corps; and Public Works; along with the Edison Police and Fire departments; Edison Public Works and Office of Emergency Management; and Sayreville Public Works.
“While we do not yet know how many of these residents will test positive for COVID-19, we encourage all of our residents to continue to take preventative measures to keep both themselves and their fellow Middlesex County residents safe,” Rios said. “Residents must continue to shelter in place and not leave their homes except for emergencies or to shop for essentials. And if residents do leave their home, they should continue to practice social distancing and stay six feet apart from others.”
The county has been working with the State of New Jersey, as well as a number of private labs, to secure the number of test kits needed to sustain a testing center.
The collected specimens will be sent to one of the approved laboratories, and positive results will be reported within 2-5 business days.
The site will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments will only be made the day prior to a testing day.
For more information, visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/News/Pages/Middlesex-County-opening-COVID-19-drive-thru-testing-site-on-April-1-in-Edison.aspx.
For additional assistance, call 732-745-3100 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule an appoinment.