An appointment-only, walk-up COVID-19 testing center for Hightstown and East Windsor residents who lack transportation is being set up in the parking lot at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church beginning May 8.
The testing center in the church parking lot at 156 Maxwell Ave. in Hightstown will offer tests every Friday afternoon, starting at noon, Mercer County officials said. It is intended to help residents who cannot drive to the main testing center at the Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence Township.
Through May 4, 107 Hightstown residents had tested positive for COVID-19, and 460 East Windsor residents had tested positive for the disease, officials said. The first case of COVID-19 in Hightstown was reported March 23 and the first case in East Windsor was reported March 18.
Mercer County opened an appointment-only, drive-through COVID-19 testing center at the Quaker Bridge Mall March 31. The testing center is open weekdays.
Mercer County also worked with the Trenton Health Team to open a walk-up testing center in the City of Trenton for residents who cannot drive to the Quaker Bridge Mall. The testing center rotates through the city’s four wards during the week.
Residents who have COVID-19 symptoms and who want to be tested would need a prescription from their physician before they can make an appointment for a test, officials said.
To be eligible for testing, it is necessary to be examined by a primary care physician, officials said. The physician will determine whether a test is needed, based on the symptoms. No one should be tested unless they are displaying symptoms.
Residents who do not have a primary care physician can call the Henry J. Austin Health Center at 609-278-5900. They can help put the resident in touch with a physician by phone or video.
There is no charge for testing at any of the Mercer County testing sites.