Expanded testing and mobile test site in Hunterdon County’s approved COVID-19 testing plan
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County is planning for mobile COVID-19 testing for residents, in addition to the no prescription needed free testing at the HMG site in Raritan Township, under the state Health Department approved county testing plan, according to County Health Officer Karen DeMarco.
“The NJ Department of Health had notified the county of approval of the county Health Department’s application and plan for using $737,339 in federal CARES Act grant funds dedicated to expanded testing. The plan includes additional testing without a physician’s prescription, in conjunction with the Hunterdon Medical Group, and the funding for a mobile test site,” DeMarco said.
Freeholder Board Director Shaun C. Van Doren said, “The Health Department did great work in gaining the state’s approval of the expanded testing plan for the county’s residents. Making testing more available, without a physician’s prescription, is a significant step in protecting the health of our residents. Of course, the greater the number of tests, the greater the number of positives that will be reported. The value, however, is the ability for the county Department of Health’s contact tracing group to reach out to others who may have been in contact with persons testing positive and establishing the 14 day quarantine.”
Freeholder Board Deputy Director Susan J. Soloway, the Board’s Health Department liaison, said, “The staff did a remarkable job in not only devising an approvable plan to have more residents tested, but also in meeting the deadline and the quick turnaround required for the submission of the application. Again, the Freeholders extend our thanks to HMG for their cooperation with the testing program. I believe the fact that our volunteer first responders can now take advantage of the testing, without a physician’s prescription, is so important. I know from those who have spoken to me it is appreciated.”
The Health Department is finalizing plans for mobile testing. An announcement for the
program is forthcoming, DeMarco said.
