County Extends Free AIDS Testing Hours

In recognition of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the Burlington County Health Department is reminding county residents about its free and rapid testing services offered every day.

On Thursday, the clinic will extend its testing hours to 5 p.m. to encourage more individuals to be tested. Normal testing hours are Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The clinic is temporarily located at the Virtua Community Health Center on Route 38 in Lumberton. No appointment is necessary.

The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is “Zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.”

“People from all walks of life can become infected with HIV and AIDS. Knowing how to prevent them, how to live with them, and the strides made over the years to fight them are essential,” said Gordon McConville, the HIV Program Coordinator for Burlington County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2009 33 million people worldwide were living with HIV or AIDS. Here in Burlington County there are over 750 people currently living with HIV/AIDS. Since county statistics have been recorded, there have been over 1,200 individuals diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. Among the 50 states, New Jersey has one of the highest proportions of females among persons living with AIDS. New Jersey also reported the fifth highest number of AIDS diagnoses in 2009 out of all 50 states.

For more information about testing and HIV/AIDS, please contact the Burlington County Health Department at 609-265-5548 or visit its website.