News & Announcements

Mercer County Opens Trenton COVID-19 Testing April 13

Walk-up sites in each city ward for residents without transportation

 

Trenton, NJ — Mercer County is partnering with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and local health care professionals to begin free walk-up COVID-19 testing by appointment only based on a physician’s order for city residents experiencing coronavirus symptoms and lacking transportation.

To serve as many residents as conveniently as possible, Mayor Gusciora said, walk-up test sites will open in each Trenton ward one day a week beginning Monday, April 13. These sites are reserved for residents who suffer coronavirus symptoms but cannot access the county’s drive-through test site at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence.

“These new sites will ensure city residents without transportation can access testing if needed,” Mayor Gusciora said. “But NO ONE should just walk-up and think you are going to get a test. You will be putting yourself and others at risk. Stay home and call a doctor first.”

Trenton residents with COVID-19 symptoms who want to be tested must first contact a physician. No one will be tested without a physician’s order.

Residents without a primary care doctor may call Henry J. Austin Health Center 609-278-5900 to determine if a test is needed. The health center will serve all patients, including those without insurance. Staff can quickly connect callers–even new patients–with a doctor via phone or video. HJAHC Telehealth Info  en español

There is no charge for testing at any Mercer County-run site.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, body aches, or fatigue must stay home and contact a doctor. If a doctor orders a test, the Mercer County health call center will contact residents to schedule a testing time and location.

“Talking with a doctor will provide important health safety information and help everyone understand what to do based on test results,” said Trenton Health Team Executive Director Gregory Paulson. “If you don’t have symptoms, federal guidelines don’t recommend a test. And if you do have symptoms, a doctor can best determine if you should be tested.”

Trenton sites are an expansion of Mercer County’s testing efforts launched last week with a Lawrence drive-through center open by appointment only for symptomatic county residents age 18 or older who have a prescription from a primary health care provider.

County testing centers are a collaborative effort between the County of Mercer, the city of Trenton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Capital Health System, St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton and the Trenton Health Team. For local updates, including food access and pharmacy information, visit THT’s COVID-19 webpage.

 

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