Author: Web Site Administrator

New COVID-19/flu test is latest in series of innovations at free Union County Drive-Through COVID-19 Test Center, located at Kean University, which will expand testing hours and add new test beginning November 2nd

Union County, NJ – Beginning Monday, November 2^nd, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to announce that the free Union County Drive-Through COVID-19 Test Center at the Kean University campus in Union Township will be the first such facility in New Jersey to offer a new three-panel swab test that produces results for the COVID-19 virus, Influenza A, and Influenza B all on the same swab. Kean is one of only two universities in New Jersey to serve as a location for free countywide COVID-19 testing, and it will be the first in New Jersey to offer the new three-panel swab test.

The Drive-Through Test Center is also expanding its schedule from twice weekly to three days a week. As of Monday, November 2, the Drive-Through Test Center will be open by appointment every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No doctor referral is required, but the site is accessible by car only. To make an appointment online visit Union County’s new COVID-19 website, ucnj.org/covid19, or call 908-518-4307. The Test Center is available to all Union County residents, and to first responders and front line health personnel who work in New Jersey. No symptoms or doctor referral are required to use the Test Center.

In addition to ensuring that all Union County residents have access to COVID-19 testing, the Test Center is Union County’s innovation hub for COVID-19 emergency response, including the introduction of new COVID-19 tests as they become available as well as recruiting and organizing health professionals and volunteers, and exploring new partnerships with Kean University including on-site specimen testing capability.

“The Union County family is facing this public health emergency together, and the new three-panel swab will be an important part of our efforts to help ensure that every resident has quick, reliable access to information about their exposure to COVID-19 and other potentially lethal viruses that are especially prone to spread at this time of year, regardless of their financial situation or their health insurance status,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Since the beginning of the outbreak last March, Kean University has been a key partner in our public health emergency response, and we are proud to bring this new testing capability to the Union Township campus and communities throughout the County.”

Kean President Lamont O. Repollet said: “Kean University is proud of our continued partnership with the County of Union to offer a convenient and accessible testing site for county residents and all front-line medical workers. As demand for testing increases, we remain steadfast in our shared commitment to defeat this virus and protect public health.”

Governor Phil Murphy stated: “This innovative partnership between Union County and Kean University will provide a very important service to residents of one of our most populous counties. As the flu season approaches, and cases of COVID-19 have risen at an alarming rate, Union County’s efforts to promote the safety of residents and to reduce strain on our healthcare system are remarkable and needed.”

Union County established the free Drive-Through Test Center at the campus of Kean University at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak on March 23, and continues to be the lead agency in organizing, financing, and running the operation through the Union County Division of Health in the Department of Public Safety in partnership with Kean University.

The new three-panel swab test will be introduced starting on Monday, November 2 with an initial turnaround time of 48 hours, which will be phased down to just 24 hours before the end of the month.

The 24-hour turnaround will be accomplished by transitioning specimen tests from a vendor located off-campus to a new on-campus lab to be operated by Kean University. The Division of Health is overseeing establishment of the new laboratory.

Union County’s Mobile Test Unit has also increased its activities. As of Tuesday, November 3, the Mobile Test Unit will offer free tests on a regular basis every Tuesday and Thursday, at various locations throughout the County. These are walk-up events; no car is required. For upcoming dates and locations visit ucnj.org/covid19.

The new initiatives are in response to an increase in COVID-19 case numbers in New Jersey and elsewhere. Public health experts have warned the public to prepare for an increase in COVID-19 cases during the fall, as the start of the seasonal flu year coincides with an increase in activities indoors, where COVID-19 is more likely to spread.

In support of its COVID-19 response efforts, Union County is also offering free seasonal flu vaccines at various locations. For the schedule of upcoming flu shot drives visit ucnj.org/covid19.

The Union County Drive-Through Test Center has provided free COVID-19 tests to more than 60,000 Union County residents, first responders and front line health personnel working in New Jersey since opening on March 23. It was the first county-based test center to open in New Jersey, and continues to lead in offering new resources .

The Union County COVID-19 Mobile Test Unit is part of the Division of Health. It began operating in March with an initial focus on walk-up, on-site testing for senior residences and other vulnerable populations. The service recently expanded to include walk-up tests for the general public in communities throughout Union County.

The Mobile Test Unit also provides walk-up tests at various locations for Union County’s new school district test program, and it runs Union County’s COVID-19 testing, tracking, tracing and public outreach programs.

For more information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, visit the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19.

 

Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado announced the locations of two additional ballot drop-off boxes for the November 3 General Election, bringing the total number of drop-off boxes in Union County to 24.

The two new locations are Kean University, Wilkins Theater on Morris Avenue in Union and Union County College, Commons Courtyard near Parking Lot 2 on Springfield Avenue in Cranford.

The locations of the installed drop-off boxes are:

• Berkeley Heights – Snyder Avenue Park, 240 Snyder Avenue
• Clark – Clark Recreation Center, 430 Westfield Avenue
• Cranford – Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue
• Cranford – Union County College, Commons Courtyard, near Parking Lot 2, Springfield Avenue
• Elizabeth – Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza
• Fanwood — Fanwood Memorial Library, 5 Forest Road
• Garwood – Garwood Public Library, 411 3rd Avenue
• Hillside – Hillside Senior Center, 265 Hollywood Avenue
• Kenilworth — Kenilworth Recreation Center, 575 Boulevard
• Linden– Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Avenue
• Mountainside — Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road
• New Providence– New Providence Memorial Library, 377 Elkwood Avenue
• Rahway – Rahway Recreation Center, 275 East Milton Avenue
• Roselle– Roselle Public Library, 104 West Fourth Avenue
• Roselle Park – Union County EMS Building, 535 Laurel Avenue
• Plainfield – Plainfield Municipal Building Parking Lot, 515 Watchung Avenue
• Scotch Plains – Union County Engineering Building, 2325 South Avenue
• Springfield — Chisolm Recreation Center, 100 South Springfield Avenue
• Summit — Chestnut Street Parking Lot, adjacent to Fire Department, 406 Broad Street
• Union – Union Township Municipal Building Rear Entrance, 1976 Morris Avenue
• Union – Kean University, Wilkins Theater, Morris Avenue
• Westfield – Colleen Fraser Building in Union County complex, 300 North Avenue East
• Winfield– Winfield Park Mutual Housing Building, Wavecrest Avenue
• Union County Board of Elections– 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth

“With 24 ballot drop-off boxes now in place, Union County has far exceeded Governor Phil Murphy’s mandate of at least 10 drop-off boxes per county,” said Ms. DiRado. “The extra locations help to ensure that every Union County voter has convenient access to a secure, reliable, method for casting their ballot in time to be counted.”

Under Governor Murphy’s COVID-19 prevention orders, the November 3 General Election will be conducted primarily through Vote-by-Mail ballots. All registered voters will automatically receive their ballot in the mail, and are strongly urged to cast it as soon as they receive it.

Voters can choose any of the following methods to cast their Vote-by-Mail prior to, or on, Election Day, November 3:

1. Deposit your ballot in a secure Board of Elections drop-off box. Any Union County voter can use any drop-off box in any municipality, regardless of their residence. All drop-off boxes are available on a 24/7 basis from now until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. A list of drop-off locations is posted on the Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/boe/ballot-drop-box-locations. The list will be updated as more drop-off boxes are added. Each drop-off box has been placed in a secure location that is under constant surveillance. The drop-off boxes are accessible only by Board of Elections staff and are emptied daily by a bipartisan team.

2. Return your ballot to the Board of Elections by U.S. Postal Service(postage is prepaid). Voters choosing this method are especially advised to mail their ballot as soon as they receive it, in order to avoid any unforeseen delivery delays.
3. Deliver your ballot by hand. Voters may bring their Vote-by-Mail ballot to the Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth, or bring it to the Union County Clerk’s main office in Elizabeth at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, or the annex office at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. On Election Day, all three offices will be open for extended hours until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Voters choosing hand delivery are required to sign a register and provide a New Jersey driver’s license or other New Jersey identification.
4. Designate a ballot bearer to deliver your ballot by hand. By law, a ballot bearer may deliver up to three ballots for other voters to the Board of Elections or County Clerk’s offices. A ballot bearer may also bring up to three ballots for other voters to a Board of Elections drop-off box.

Each Vote-by-Mail ballot includes instructions for designating a ballot bearer.

In addition, when the polls are open on Election Day voters may bring their Vote-by-Mail ballot to their designated polling place. A list of polling places is available at ucnj.org/boe/where-do-i-vote. Please note that voters who come to a polling place without a Vote-by-Mail ballot will be provided with a provisional paper ballot to cast their vote.

ADA-accessible voting machines will be available at polling places only for voters with disabilities who certify that they cannot use a paper ballot.

Union County residents who have not registered to vote are reminded that the deadline for voter registration is Tuesday, October 13. For more information on voter registration visit ucnj.org/boe/voter-registration-information.

Board of Elections staff is available to answer questions about voter registration, and the office will provide extended hours on October 13 until 9:00 p.m. While visiting the office, voters must wear masks and observe social distance.

To view instructions for using a Vote-by-Mail ballot correctly, visit the Election Board online at ucnj.org/boe/make-sure-your-vote-by-mail-ballot-is-counted-2

 

For more information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, and the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, please visit the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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The Union County Freeholder Board is proud to present “Fix You”, a highly regarded Coldplay tribute band, live in concert at the Union County Vocational-Technical School, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

The concert is on Saturday, November 7^th starting at 6:30 PM. Tickets will become available online at www.ucnj.org/reserve on Friday, October 28th at 9 AM and are first-come, first-served. Attendance is limited to 220 cars.

“I am happy to welcome ‘Fix You’ as our next performer in our great drive-in concert series,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These concerts are providing great entertainment for Union County residents.”

“Fix You”, named after one of the top hits of the legendary British rock band Coldplay, describes itself as the latter’s ultimate tribute band. “Fix You” has played around the world and covers Coldplay’s greatest hits such as Parachutes and Head Full of Dreams. Learn more about the band and its performances at https://www.fixyoulive.com/.

To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes or chairs are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart with adequate social distancing. Port-o-johns and wash stations will be available. Masks will be required when using the port-o-johns. Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns). Those who are attending can bring their own food, and non-alcoholic drink. Alcohol is prohibited.

The Freeholder Board is proud to present the new Virtual Saturday Series through the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs. The series will be held every other Saturday from October 10th through December 19^th.

Each virtual event will feature a different interactive program for all ages.

“This virtual series will provide a wide variety of activities for our residents with disabilities and special needs to enjoy with their families,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. 

The next program is Saturday, October 24^th and will be an interactive Healthy Eating Workshop with Tony Bianchino from Out Run Your Fork. The workshop’s topic is “How to Beat Your Sugar Cravings.”

Each program will run from 10:00 until 11:00 am and will be hosted on GoToMeeting. Participants will receive the GoToMeeting link a few days in advance of the event. 

The schedule for the series is as follows: 

• Saturday, October 24^th  – How to Beat Your Sugar Cravings with Tony Bianchino
• Saturday, November 7^th – Rizzo’s Wildlife World – NJ Native’s  
• Saturday, November 21^st – Magic With Simon Mandal  
• Saturday, December 5^th – Healthy Eating for Your Picky Eater with Tony Bianchino
• Saturday, December 19^th – Rizzo’s Wildlife World – Mammals  

To register visit www.ucnj.org/opdsn-reg. Space is limited to 75 participants in each event. 

For more information on the virtual series contact Nicole DeAugustine at ndeaugustine@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, and the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, please visit the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Connect with Union County on social media.