The number of Lawrence Township residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 has grown to 37 residents as of April 6, and the number is expected to continue to increase, according to Mercer County officials.
The 37 residents are among the 837 Mercer County residents who had tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 7, based on statistics compiled by the New Jersey Department of Health. There were also 24 deaths, but it is not known if there were any Lawrence Township residents who had died.
Public health investigations are under way, and individuals who may have been in contact with the affected residents are being notified, Lawrence Township officials said.
Mercer County opened an appointment-only, drive-through testing center March 31 in a parking lot at the Quaker Bridge Mall. The testing site is a collaborative effort between Mercer County and several Mercer County hospitals.
The testing site is restricted to Mercer County residents who have shown symptoms of COVID-19 and who have a physician’s prescription for the test. The turnaround time for laboratory results is 48 to 72 hours.
Lawrence Township residents who have contracted COVID-19 may obtain the prescription drug combination of hydroxychloroquine sulfate and the antibiotic Zithromax to treat their symptoms through the Greenhill Pharmacy in East Windsor Township.
The drug combination is available to all Mercer County residents whose physician has prescribed it for them. The Federal Drug Administration has issued an emergency-use authorization for the drug combination to treat and mitigate the effects of COVID-19.