HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Over seven hundred residents each received two COVID-19 PCR home self-test kits through the Hunterdon County Health Department’s drive-thru distribution site, located at the County’s Route
12 Complex, on Saturday, January 22, according to County Commissioner Shaun C. Van Doren.
Van Doren, the Board liaison for the Department of Health, said, “There is considerable public demand for COVID-19 test kits and the Health Department very quickly pulled together a drive through process where test kits could be safely distributed without contact. The Department is allocating test kits to County food pantries for distribution to clients and is also preparing to offer additional testing resources and opportunities for residents that will be announced soon.”
Board of Commissioners Deputy Director, Zach Rich, participated in the distribution process last Saturday, placing test kit boxes in the vehicles of residents rolling through the line at the County’s Haz-Mat drive-thru.
Rich said, “Vehicles were lined up before 8 am for the 9 am opening, but the line of vehicles moved very quickly. Thanks to the allocation from the state, the Health Department had a sufficient number of test kits available to meet the demand.”
“The whole operation ran very smoothly, and residents appeared appreciative of receiving the test kits. Special recognition is due to the Health Department and Emergency Management staffs and the Sheriff’s Officers who participated and helped to make it a positive experience on a Saturday morning,” Rich said.
The state issued at home PCR self-test kits require a zoom connection for a health professional to provide information and monitor the test. The specimen must be mailed in at no cost by users. The turnaround time is 48 to 72 hours and test users will be notified via email as to a positive or negative test.
