‘High Demand’ At COVID Testing Megasite In Essex County, Officials Say

EAST ORANGE, NJ — A free, federal coronavirus testing site in East Orange will stay open until Monday, Jan. 24 because of “high demand and need” in the area, authorities announced Thursday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnered with East Orange and the local health department to open the federal testing site earlier this month. It was opened in response to a “rapid increase in COVID-19 cases,” city officials said. Read More: COVID Testing Megasite In East Orange Will Serve All NJ Residents

The site is located at 90 Halsted Street. It has the capacity to give up to 1,000 nasal PCR tests per day, and accepts walk-ups, although appointments are encouraged. It is open to New Jersey residents of all ages and is ADA-compliant; testing results are generally available within 48 hours.

The site is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It now offers evening hours on Mondays and Thursdays, when it will close at 7 p.m.

Face masks are required. No identification is needed. There are no public restrooms available at the site.

Free parking is available at a main lot at Freeway Drive and Halsted Street, with overflow parking available in two additional nearby lots. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.eovaccine.org.

The new site is part of the CDC's Increasing Community Access to Testing for COVID-19 Surge Response Effort, which teams up with pharmacies and labs to provide free tests in "underserved communities."

East Orange city officials are encouraging local residents to get tested. As of Thursday, East Orange – which has a population of 69,612 residents – has seen 16,295 cumulative COVID-19 cases. There have been 350 deaths linked to the disease, according to Essex County, which does not differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated people in its daily count.

“We understand that residents are seeking to get tested more regularly to return to work and school while new COVID-19 variants circulate,” said Monique Griffith, director of health and human services.

“We are fortunate to have a very valuable resource right here in East Orange, and it is in the best interest of all to take advantage while it is available,” Griffith said. “Knowing your status will continue to help protect the safety and well-being of not just yourself, but of your family and our community.”

New Jersey health officials have launched a website where people can search for COVID-19 testing facilities across the state. See it here.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Vault Medical Services have partnered to offer a free, at-home COVID-19 saliva test kit that is available to every New Jerseyan who thinks they need a test – even if they don't have symptoms. Learn more here.

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