Burlington County is now offering a combined COVID/flu test at its COVID testing site.
The Burlington County commissioners and Burlington County Health Department announced the immediate testing expansion, saying residents can now receive either a single COVID test or a combined COVID/Influenza test at the Burlington County testing center.
It’s another health resource that officials hope residents will take advantage of with cases of the flu and COVID on the rise before the holidays.
“We’re in the midst of a tricky season for infectious diseases, with COVID-19 cases rising again and the flu is also very active in the region,” said Burlington County Health Department Director Dr. Herb Conaway. “Testing provides a valuable tool because it can identify cases early and help to slow the spread. It also benefits patients because COVID and flu frequently have similar symptoms but can require different treatments.”
“Burlington County has offered COVID-19 testing since the earliest days of the pandemic and this combined test will help our residents guard their families, friends and co-workers against the spread of both COVID and the flu,” added Burlington County Commissioner Felicia Hopson, the liaison to the Health Department. “It’s another example of how our County has responded to this ever-changing health care challenge and done everything we can to make resources available for our residents.”
Testing is available five days a week at the Burlington County Testing Center, located next to the Dollar Tree in the Willingboro Town Center, 4390 Route 130 North, Willingboro. The center hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Both the COVID test and combined flu/COVID test requires a single small nasal swab sample. Results are expected within 48 hours.
Anyone who lives, works or attends school in Burlington County is eligible for the testing. Insurance information will be collected but no one will face out-of-pocket expenses or be turned away if uninsured.
Walk ups are welcome but appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, go to https://burlingtoncovidtesting.as.me/schedule.php.
Burlington County first launched its COVID testing program in March 2020 when testing resources were incredibly scarce. Since then, more than 80,000 people have been tested through the program.
The health department also continues to offer flu shots and COVID vaccines/boosters to residents who have not yet received them. Schedules of the upcoming clinics are available on the health department’s webpage at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/290/Health-Department.
In addition to vaccines, residents are encouraged to take the same precautions that became commonplace during the worst COVID outbreaks, including frequently washing hands, using hand sanitizer and wearing a high-quality and fitted face mask when in crowds or close quarters indoors. Residents feeling sick with symptoms should also remain at home.
“With the winter surges of respiratory illnesses, including both COVID and influenza, it’s more important than ever for residents to get vaccinated, and for those with symptoms or who have been in close contact with someone infected to get tested,” said Conaway. “We all need to work together to protect our most vulnerable residents and we don’t want to see a surge in COVID or flu cases tax our hospitals and health systems.”
