New Jersey counties opening 2 new coronavirus testing centers

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(Edwin J. Torres/Governor’s Office)

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey is expanding its drive-through testing centers for coronavirus, especially in the northern part of the state.

Essex County officials said Wednesday that a drive-through testing center would be opening Thursday in Newark's Weequahic Park. A drive-through facility for Passaic County residents opened Wednesday at William Paterson University.

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In Essex, appointments are mandatory, according to the statement from Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo. Residents should go to the county's website to complete a screening form and make an appointment

In Passaic, county residents must have a referral from a doctor, Gov. Phil Murphy said earlier this week.

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The testing centers join other facilities for county-only residents at Kean University in Union and Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus. There are two federally operated centers for statewide residents in Bergen and Monmouth counties.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

In New Jersey 44 people have died from the virus, and nearly 3,700 have tested positive.