MONMOUTH COUNTY – Monmouth County officials came together to introduce their mobile COVID-19 testing bus, the first ever in the state.
This expansion of testing will be supporting first responders and health care workers, allowing them to get free testing to ensure that their health and well-being are protected.
“The county will be operating mobile testing twice per week, specifically for healthcare workers and first responders,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We are incredibly grateful to all of our frontline workers and all that they do to keep Monmouth County residents safe and healthy and we want to do whatever we can to support them.”
“The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) will administer the tests and perform contact tracing for anyone who tests positive,” said Arnone. “MCHD will continue to operate the county’s COVID-19 testing for all county residents four days per week.”
Currently, the mobile testing will be offered in four towns: Ocean Township, Manalapan, Middletown and Wall. The sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there will be 100 tests available at each site.
“This pandemic has affected all of us, but has placed our first responders directly in harm’s way,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “They risk their lives every day as they respond to critical incidents to protect the residents of Monmouth County, and we need to support them by providing expedited testing through the mobile Field Communications Unit. This effort, led by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Monmouth County Health Department and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, will help ensure our first responders health and wellbeing and provide them with peace of mind as they work on the frontlines.”
Updates on a possible COVID-19 vaccine were presented by Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley.
“We could expect vaccinations to be shipped to New Jersey within the next three to four weeks,” she said. “Vaccines will be distributed to hospitals first before local health departments and will be administered to healthcare and frontline workers before the general public. Vaccines are anticipated to be available to the general public in 2021.”
The MCHD has been listed as a vaccine provider by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). The MCHD will be working with the County’s Office of Emergency Management to organize Points of Distribution for this vaccine and coordinate vaccine distribution with the NJDOH.
“Even though vaccine distribution is imminent, the Health Department continues to stress the importance of preventative actions the public can take including social distancing, wearing face coverings and washing hands frequently,” Kiley said. “Public Health officials also urge the public to answer the phone when a contact tracer calls. Contact tracing is a vital part of reducing the spread of COVID-19 throughout Monmouth County communities.”
Monmouth County residents can still receive assistance if experiencing financial hardship or are in need of mental health support. The Financial Recovery Warm Line can be reached by calling 732-683-8959 and the Mental Health Hotline is available at 732-542-6422.
Below is the current schedule for the mobile testing:
- December 10: Wall Township-Camp Evans, 800 Monmouth Road, Wall.
- December 15: Manalapan Township Recreation Area, 120 County Route 522, Manalapan.
- December 17: Ocean Probation, 2407 State Rt. 66 (Sea View Square Mall), Ocean Township.
- December 22: Middletown Fire Department, 336 State Highway 35, Middletown.
- December 24: l Township-Camp Evans, 800 Monmouth Road, Wall.
- December 29: Manalapan Township Recreation Area, 120 County Route 522, Manalapan.
- December 31: Ocean Probation, 2407 State Rt. 66 (Sea View Square Mall), Ocean Township, NJ.
*Testing schedule is subject to change. View the schedule at visitmonmouth.com before going to one of the testing locations.
In related news, Arnone provided an update on the Monmouth County CARES Economic Assistance Grant Program.
“Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for up to $20,000 in grant money for COVID-19 expenses. To date, we have approved more than 2,300 applications and dispersed more than $20 million,” he said. “I strongly encourage all small businesses and nonprofits to take advantage of this as soon as possible. The CARES Act funding must be used by the end of this month and so there are only a few weeks to submit applications in time to process payments.”
Small businesses and nonprofits can apply at MonmouthCountyCares.com.
