2 Pop-Up COVID-19 Test Sites In Burlington County This Week

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Burlington County will host two pop-up coronavirus test sites this week, as the health pandemic continues to present a problem for residents, students, and workers in the county. The free test sites will take place as follows:

• The Blue Barn recreation building, 1004 Tuckerton Road in Evesham; Feb.11, 12, 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Maple Shade Fire Department, 53 South Maple Avenue; Feb,10, 11, 12, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The pop-up testing sites are being led by the New Jersey Department of Health and are intended to boost testing in coronavirus “hotspots” throughout the state, county officials said on Tuesday. Pop-up test sites are also being planned in the future for locations in Cinnaminson and Medford.

These pop-up sites are in addition to the coronavirus testing available at Rowan College at Burlington County.

“We’re at a very critical time in our fight against the virus. The arrival of vaccines is a major plus and has generated a lot of hope and excitement, but COVID-19 continues to spread and that new variants represent a potential new threat,” Burlington County Health Director and COVID-19 Task Force Chair Dr. Herb Conaway said. “Testing remains a critical weapon in our arsenal, and we now have a number of testing options available. We need our residents to take advantage of this service for their own health and the health of those around them.”

Testing is available to all Burlington County residents and those who work or attend school in Burlington County on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rowan College at Burlington County in Mount Laurel.

Burlington County also offers a home testing option. Participants must register online at www.homecovidtest.org to obtain a mail-order test kit and instructions on how to schedule a Zoom tele-health meeting with a health care worker to oversee sample collection.

Burlington County Commissioner Dan O’Connell, liaison to the Department of Health, said the state is making the extra testing available at an ideal time. As of Tuesday night, there have been 29,309 coronavirus cases, 667 confirmed deaths and 69 probable deaths in Burlington County since the pandemic began.

“We’ve seen surges in COVID-19 cases after the holidays when people tend to travel or let down their social-distancing guard,” O’Connell said. “Coming off of Super Bowl Sunday and with Valentine’s Day and President’s Day weekend fast approaching, we need those who maybe did travel or gather to take the time now to get tested. It’s free and easy, and it can help protect you and your friends, co-workers and loved ones.”

The coronavirus tests at the college are saliva-based, so people should not eat, drink, smoke, vape or chew gum for at least 30 minutes before testing. Coronavirus tests at the pop-up sites are typically gathered by nasal swab. Test results are typically returned within 72 hours.

Also, while testing is free at public testing locations, residents with insurance are encouraged to bring that information with them since the reimbursement can help defray the testing costs. Under state and federal law, insurance companies are required to cover coronavirus tests with no out-of-pocket costs during the ongoing health emergency.