Burlington County, New Jersey expands COVID-19 testing to keep up with demand
New Jersey COVID-19 live updates, news and information
TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Burlington County officials are offering expanded COVID-19 testing as demand has increased, especially ahead of the holidays.
The line for COVID testing wrapped around the parking lot at Rowan College at Burlington County in Mount Laurel on Thursday. Some waited in line for two hours.
"It was a cold wait and a long walk," said Leatha Wright of Lumberton, who came to get tested for peace of mind. "It's so rampant and I'm around quite a lot of different people."
The tests administered were saliva tests. Patients are asked to fill a test tube with saliva, then members of the Burlington County Sheriff's Department take the sample straight to Rutgers for processing each evening.
"It's hard when they tell you not to drink for 45 minutes and your mouth is dry. It's kind of hard to produce saliva when your mouth is dry," said Sam Bailer, of Maple Shade.
The payoff is quicker results, usually back in 24 to 48 hours.
The testing site will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday for county residents or those who work or attend school in the county. Burlington County officials say they plan to offer free testing three days a week in December to keep up with demand.
Officials say Burlington County's positivity rate has been hovering around 13 to 14% - higher than the state's positivity rate of about 11%.
"We saw it after Halloween. People were having Halloween parties, we saw our transmission rates go up," said Dr. Herb Conaway, Burlington County Health Director.
Officials sounded alarms in Camden County, too. While hospitals are keeping up now, Virtua Health officials say they worry about what's ahead after the winter holidays.
"We're expecting to by far break the record for the number of patients we saw last spring," said Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Reginald Blaber.
High school winter sports competition to begin after New Year, hockey practice starts in December
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association's Sports Advisory Task Force, the statewide group of athletic administrators tasked with developing return-to-play protocols for New Jersey high school sports, issued its final plan for the winter sports season on Thursday.
Competition for all winter sports will begin after the New Year.
NJSIAA officials said ice hockey may start practicing on December 14, 2020.
Basketball, fencing and bowling may start practicing on January 11, 2021.
Swimming and winter track & field may start practicing on February 1.
Gymnastics, girls' volleyball, and wrestling may start practicing on March 1.
NJSIAA said post-season play is under consideration and will be determined at a later date for wrestling, gymnastics, and girls volleyball - the sports that start practicing in March.
"There will be no NJSIAA-sponsored post-season for any other winter sports. Post-season play may be hosted locally by participating leagues and conferences, at their own discretion," officials said.
The Sports Advisory Task Force is still finalizing the spring season schedule.
"The Sports Advisory Task Force remains committed to providing as complete of a spring season as possible and will release final spring sports season plans on or before Friday, December 11, 2020," officials said.
The NJSIAA said the spring season is likely to extend through June.
Indoor practices and competitions are limited to 10 persons in New Jersey; however, if the number of individuals who are necessary for the practice or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, is greater than 10 persons, the practice or competition may proceed.
If this exception applies, the number of individuals still may not exceed 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, or 150 persons, whichever is less.
"Practically speaking, this means that spectators are prohibited," the NJSIAA said.
New Limits on Gatherings
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has reduced indoor gathering limits because of the COVID-19 resurgence with outdoor limits soon to follow.
Earlier this week, Murphy ordered indoor gatherings to fall from 25 to 10 and outdoor get-togethers from 500 to 150 people. The new indoor limit went into effect 6 a.m. Tuesday, while the outdoor level kicks in Nov. 23.
Religious services, celebrations, political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services and performances may continue under the current rules, but are limited to 25% of a room's capacity, up to 150 people, Murphy said in a tweet.
"We think those are steps, coupled with the other steps we have taken, which will hopefully begin to shake these numbers down," he told MSNBC. "This is a lot of fatigue. It's a lot of private setting transmission. Particularly with the holidays coming up, we've got to plead with people to not let their hair down, to be vigilant, social distance, face coverings, all the basic stuff we know works."
The lower levels come just before Thanksgiving and ahead of the winter holidays.
Murphy said he understood that the new limits would lead to frustration, but said little about this year has been normal.
"I must again pull back the reins," he said. "It gives me no joy."
New Jersey's coronavirus levels have been spiking, which Murphy has said amounts to a "second wave."
On Wednesday, Murphy said there were 4,063 new cases of COVID-19 in the state and 2,446 patients are currently in the hospital
"There is no way to sugarcoat any of these numbers. They are not good and they are trending worse. The only way we can reverse these is to wear masks, social distance, wash hands and not attend any private gatherings outside of our immediate families in our own homes," he said.
Murphy said the tighter limits are aimed at limiting house parties, which he said contribute to climbing COVID-19 rates.
Last week, new statewide dining restrictions went into effect, putting a late-night curfew on indoor dining and eliminating barside seating at all times.
Camden County has been one of the hardest-hit counties in our area recently, reporting 400 new cases Sunday.
Last week, the county opened up a COVID testing site at Camden County College in Cherry Hill because of increased demand.
"I want to be responsible. I want everyone to be safe, so I canceled my party. In terms of Thanksgiving, we're all going to keep it low key," said Dr. Alicea Davis of Camden.
Murphy spoke virtually with governors in surrounding states Sunday night.
"Together, we will follow the science, keep our region safe, and save lives," Murphy said.
MORE NEW JERSEY COVID-19 HEADLINES
Cherry Hill School District goes hybrid
Despite a surge in cases in Camden County, students in the Cherry Hill School District went back to the classroom on November 17 on a hybrid schedule.
To learn more about the district's hybrid learning schedule, CLICK HERE
AMC Theatres Closes Hamilton Location
The AMC Hamilton 24 Theatre has permanently shut its doors. AMC Theatres tells 6abc.com the theater closed at the end of business on Sunday, Nov. 8.
WATCH: New COVID-19 restrictions begin in New Jersey
Hospitalizations on the rise
As COVID numbers rise throughout New Jersey, hospitals have seen an uptick in patients who can't fight the virus at home over the past month.
WATCH: How COVID is impacting holiday gatherings, travel
State health officials said several New Jersey hospitals have been on divert status this week - meaning incoming patients are temporarily sent to other hospitals for treatment.
MORE COVID-19 COVERAGE
FDA approves 1st rapid virus test that gives results at home
U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be performed entirely at home and delivers results in 30 minutes.
Health experts warn against holiday travel, unnecessary COVID testing
Health experts are urging caution ahead of the holiday season, asking that you think twice about traveling - and getting unnecessary COVID-19 tests.
As COVID cases rise, no need to stockpile supplies, expert says
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, consumers are stocking up, and grocery stores are responding. But before you go on a spending spree, there are some things to consider.
CDC says masks protect you, not just those around you, in updated guidance
As the U.S. sees a nationwide spike in coronavirus cases, the Centers for Disease Control released new mask guidance. The latest update says wearing a face-covering doesn't just protect the people around you, but it also protects the wearer from incoming virus projectiles.
CDC releases updated guidelines for Thanksgiving
The CDC posted its most specific guidance yet on Thanksgiving Monday, which emphasizes that the safest option for the holiday is celebrating only with people in your household or taking extra precautions like wearing masks and keeping your distance if you celebrate with others.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
How to properly wash your hands
Which masks protect those around you best?
What to do if you think you have COVID-19 symptoms
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
