TOMS RIVER – Saturday hours have been added during the month of December for the Ocean County College drive thru test site. Testing is by appointment will now be done from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., five days a week and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who is liaison to the Ocean County Health Department said, “the increase in hours will allow us to increase the number of tests conducted to more than 300 per day.”
“Since the opening of the test site in March, we have closely monitored the needs and consistently adjusted the hours of testing at the college to accommodate our residents,” Little said.
Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye said, “as people see the number of positive cases increase, more want to be tested. Testing will show if you have the virus even if you are asymptomatic.
“This can help reduce the spread of the virus so long as people quarantine. We have also consistently encouraged our residents to get tested. We believe the longer hours will address the demand.” Regenye said.
More than 13,000 coronavirus tests have been performed at the college testing site.
“This site has been the result of a successful partnership with the college, our area hospitals, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management, the Ocean County Health Department and a host of other collaborators who have come together to make this work for our citizens,” Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said.
“It’s important to be flexible at the site so we can offer more tests when needed.” Regenye said. He noted that there are other locations and testing sites for asymptomatic people that have opened throughout the state with some located in Ocean County.
Little added, “at the Ocean County College testing site, residents remain in their cars and medical personnel perform a nasal swab. We have worked to make this convenient and more importantly safe for the public, the health care providers on site and staff.”
“Since opening we have met all the demand for tests. We have turned no one away,” Little said.
“Once the test has been performed, it’s anticipated to take about three to five days for results to be returned. All the results will be available on the BioReference Laboratories Patient Portal: Bioreference.com/patients/ and through the Ocean County Health Department residents will be notified whether they test positive or negative,” Regenye said.
Fever, fatigue, a dry cough and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of COVID 19. Ocean County has also established a process to ensure that people with test results are informed in a timely manner and provided with guidance, consultation and next steps.
County officials are urging everyone to take the steps necessary to curtail the virus including wearing a mask, social distancing, frequent handwashing and staying home when sick.
The testing site located off of Hooper Avenue, provides tests for both symptomatic and asymptomatic County residents. Appointments are required.
Proof of residency will be required. All emergency responders can also access testing at the site. To schedule an appointment for a test, Ocean County residents can visit the Ocean County Health Department website at ochd.org.
