Cape May County opens drive-thru testing site

Cape May County is opening a drive-thru testing site.The site will be open once a week, and is only for county residents or CompleteCare patients.Patients can only come with an appointment and must have symptoms and meet certain criteria.“Most individuals have mild symptoms and are able to recover at home," Health Officer Kevin Thomas said. "If you can maintain your symptoms at home, we urge you to do so. Testing requires personal protective equipment, which we want to preserve for our first-responders.”The location is not being disclosed publicly to protect the confidentiality and safety of residents. Symptomatic first-responders who are residents of the county will be given priority testing.

Residents can go to CompleteCareNJ.org/COVID19 or call 609-465-0258 to request a screening.

Once an individual is approved for testing a prescription will be electronically sent to the health department and Cape May County Department of Health will call the patient with an appointment time and location.CompleteCare accepts Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance plans and those without insurance. The tests are free, and require no co-pay for the screening.Translation services are available for those in need.The Cape May County Department of Health and CompleteCare Health Network will work to ensure people are informed of their results in a timely manner. The county Health Department reminds people who are feeling ill:

• Stay home except to get medical care. Most individuals with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. It is important that you do not leave your home, except to get medical care.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Make sure you to get care if you are having trouble breathing.
• Monitor your symptoms. Common symptoms include fever and cough. Trouble breathing is a more serious symptom that means you should get medical attention but call first.
• Do not visit public places and avoid public transportation.
• Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as “home isolation”. You want to stay away from others as much as possible. Create a “sick room” if possible.
• Call your doctor ahead before visiting. Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid sharing personal household items.
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day.

For additional information visit Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net.