As of this weekend, the Union County COVID-19 Drive-Thru Center has surpassed 7,000 tests to Union County residents, emergency responders and medical personnel from more than 180 municipalities in New Jersey. The first responders and medical personnel have come from as far south as Cape May County and as far north as Sussex County.

The drive-thru is currently serving Union County residents, but is also open to emergency personnel and medical workers from outside Union County. Testing is free.

“Besides serving Union County residents, our Union County COVID-19 test facility has also been a great benefit to first responders and medical workers across the state,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This is a credit to the many major public and private partners throughout Union County we’ve marshalled in the effort to create and run this potentially life-saving service. We are proud that our Union County COVID-19 center has become one of the best run facilities in the state, and that we are able to share it with those in need.”

Union County residents from all 21 municipalities have received tests at the facility, as well as first responders and medical personnel from more than 180 municipalities outside the County.

The testing center in Union County has been regarded as a model around the state, outpacing FEMA sites with the largest volume of tests performed, highest clinical standards and most efficient burn rate for personal protective equipment in New Jersey.

The Kean site has been built on a clinical model that has patients in contact with a clinician at the front end and back end of the testing to ensure that individuals who need the test are receiving it.

With a positive rate of 59% at the site, 10% higher than the state average,  data shows that the Union County COVID-19 Center is identifying the right individuals who are in the CDC defined high risk category.

Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, who is supervising the facility, thanked the efforts of the medical workers, volunteers, staff and the Army New Jersey National Guard.

“Without their efforts, the drive-through would not be possible,” said Moran. “We have worked collaboratively to create a system that maximizes the efficient use of hard-to-find resources, and one that treats our patients efficiently and with compassion.”

About 48 percent of the patients are coming into the testing site through a physician which allows the county health office to follow up with doctors with results. This allows a greater continuity of care with those that have tested positive and may be experiencing symptoms.

The Union County Covid-19 Test Center has expanded its operations since opening several weeks ago, and has been open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The center is available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. First responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms can also contact the center, regardless of their place of residence.

Union County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who wish to be tested should call 908-214-7107. First responders and front-line health workers may also call 908-373-5105.

For the safety, health and security of the volunteers at the site, the testing location does not allow patients without vehicles to enter the campus. If you do not have your own transportation, please discuss with your healthcare provider before scheduling an appointment.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019.  If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, there is a self-assessment tool that you should use that has been developed by the State of New Jersey. This tool will assist you to determine what actions you can take to protect you and your loved ones’ health and help determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19, and can be accessed at https://self.covid19.nj.gov/

The Union County COVID 19 drive-through facility is being run by the County through a partnership with the Overlook Medical Center (Atlantic Health System) in Summit, the Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ Barnabas Health) in Rahway. The Freeholder Board, County Manager and his staff worked with State Senators Joseph P. Cryan, Nicholas P. Scutari, Governor Phil Murphy’s office, Kean University, and the New Jersey State Department of Health in bringing the facility online.