PNC Test Center in Holmdel Reaches Capacity; Will Reopen Tuesday

HOLMDEL, NJ — State Police and healthcare workers were prepared for an onslaught of crowds to show up Monday to the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, which has been re-purposed as the state's second coronavirus/Covid-19 test site. But as of 10 a.m. Monday morning, the site has now shut down for the day, and is turning cars away. It was open for less than two hours before it closed down.

"Tests are still being conducted inside, however we have reached capacity," Sgt. Jeff Flynn of the New Jersey State Police told Patch. "The site will re-open tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8 a.m."

The Holmdel site had 2,500 test kits on site. He did not answer when asked if they had run out of test kits.

The Holmdel site is operated by the State Police, the state Dept. of Health and FEMA.

Similarly, the Bergen County Community College test site in Paramus was so inundated with people wanting to be tested that they too had to shut down shortly after opening on Friday morning.

The Asbury Park Press reports that hundreds of cars were lined up off the Garden State Parkway before the Holmdel test site opened at 8 a.m. today, and were greeted with a sign that said, "no symptoms, no test."

Prior to it opening, officials had warned that people are not symptomatic will not be tested and would be turned away, even if they had waited hours in line.

"It diverts critical resources such as testing kits and laboratory materials from those who are ill," said the state health department before the site opened Monday.

"If you have symptoms including fever, shortness of breath, or cough you should be tested," said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. "Those with underlying medical conditions and those who are 65 and older who have symptoms are particularly at risk for more severe illness and should be tested."

Prior reporting: Monmouth Officials: Don't Get Tested Unless You Have Symptoms (March 20)