COVID-19 Testing Will be Available at 7 NJ Walmarts on Friday

By Jim Pytell, Assistant Editor On May 20, 2020

At today’s daily COVD-19 briefing, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that beginning this Friday, self-administered swab tests will be available at Walmarts in Garfield, North Bergen, Kearny, Flemington, Burlington, Howell and Mount Laurel.

The testing is made possible through a partnership between the state, Walmart and the retail giant’s corporate partner, Quest Diagnostics.

Tests will be provided at specific drive-up locations outside stores from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. There will be no testing inside Walmart stores.

Next week, tests will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Beginning on June 1, tests will be available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Tests are appointment only and can be scheduled at MyQuestCOVIDTest.com.

“This is an all hands-on-deck effort,” Murphy said. “I welcome Walmart and Quest Diagnostics to our COVID-19 team.”

Key Metrics Trending in Right Direction

The daily percent positivity from May 16 did spike slightly to 18%, compared to 12% and 13% from preceding days. Murphy said that the spike is worth monitoring, but there isn’t cause for alarm yet.

He added that there are currently 3,405 individuals getting treated for COVID-19 inside New Jersey hospitals.

“The total number of hospitalizations is now well less than half of what it was four weeks ago,” Murphy said, adding that the number of individuals in intensive care (ICU) and the number of ventilators in use were also down.

“Hospitalizations, ventilator use and individuals in ICUs are the most significant known metrics which influence our thinking on where we are on our road back,” Murphy said. “These concrete numbers speak to both improving overall public health and improving conditions in our hospitals.”

Overall, New Jersey now has 150,399 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, as well as 10,747 deaths from the virus.

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