Ocean County Health Department increases testing capacity as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations climb

The Ocean County Health Department has increased testing capacity as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climb.

News 12 Staff

Jan 5, 2022, 12:23 PM

Updated 1,085 days ago

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The Ocean County Health Department has increased testing capacity as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climb. 
The drive-thru site at Ocean County College will open at 9 a.m., as the demand for tests remains extremely high everywhere, and close at 5 p.m.
The state logged another 25,000 cases Tuesday, with a 7-day average topping the 20,000 mark. The numbers are believed to be significantly higher because of the at-home rapid tests, which go unreported to state health officials. 
SEARCH FOR A CURE: Statistics and State Resources
The numbers translated into a jump of hospitalizations, topping the 5,000 mark for the first time since May of 2020 – 5,155 COVID-19 positive patients now occupy hospital beds, according to state data.  Nearly 700 of them are in the ICU.
Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday the state was working to break down the numbers of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in relation to those for COVID-19 to get a more accurate representation of the surge hitting health centers.
The testing center will also open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and weather permitting Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., pending any snow issues.