Somerset and Hunterdon counties announced Sunday they will be opening a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site Thursday at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg.

The announcement came as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Central Jersey continued to rise, with 705 new cases reported in a single day and 31 more deaths.

There were 3,733 new cases statewide Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in New Jersey to 61,850. There have been 2,350 deaths related to coronavirus in the state after officials reported 168 new deaths Sunday.

READ:Somerset County town-by-town coronavirus cases for April 12 in New Jersey

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In Union County, there was an increase of 315 cases, bringing its total number to 6,180. There were 14 more deaths in Union, bringing its total to 209.

In Middlesex County, there were 287 new cases, bringing its total to 5,693. There were 16 more deaths there, bringing its total to 193.

READ:Middlesex County town-by-town coronavirus cases for April 12 in New Jersey

Somerset County had 90 new cases, bringing its total to 1,732. There was one more death in Somerset, bringing its total to 79.

Hunterdon County had 13 new cases, bringing its total to 314. There were no more deaths reported there, so its total remained at 11.

RVCC testing site

The testing site at RVCC, located at 118 Lamington Road, will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 16, 17 and 20. Additional dates will be offered based on availability of test kits and PPE, according to officials.

Testing is free and available to residents of Somerset and Hunterdon counties, age 5 and older, who are exhibiting symptoms, such as fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. At the testing site, individuals must have a written doctor’s authorization and show proof of residency, such as a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification, officials said.

Starting 9 a.m. Tuesday, residents can make an appointment by visiting somerset-hunterdon.adlabscovidtest.com where they will complete a registration form. Residents without access to a computer can call 908-237-7150, officials said.

Anyone who does not have an appointment and a valid prescription or written order from their physician will be turned away, they said.

For the safety, health and security of staff and volunteers, patients must arrive by car. The testing site will not allow entry if residents don’t arrive in a vehicle, even if they have a valid driver’s license and prescription, officials said.

“Setting up a testing site for the health and safety of our residents has been the Somerset County Freeholder Board’s number one priority. The Board, administration and staff have been working nonstop for weeks to secure the necessary test kits and PPE supplies,” Freeholder Director Shanel Y. Robinson said in a statement. “The competition between county, state and federal authorities has delayed the opening of this site and put Somerset County residents at risk. We want to thank Congressman Tom Malinowski for his efforts to obtain the necessary equipment needed to get this site operational for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents.”

"I am advised that coupled with social distancing practices, accurate detection and containment of the coronavirus is the best chance to flatten the curve and reduce the spread of this virus,” Hunterdon County Freeholder Director Shaun C. Van Doren said in a statement. “We thank our health department staff, volunteers and Somerset County partners for cooperatively setting up this joint testing site to protect the residents of Hunterdon and Somerset counties."

Union County testing site closed Monday

Due to anticipated rain, Union County's COVID-19 testing site will be closed Monday and will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to a tweet by the county.

READ:Somerset County town-by-town coronavirus cases for April 12 in New Jersey

All appointments scheduled for Monday will be honored on Tuesday. Due to high volume expected Tuesday, no unscheduled drive-ups will be accepted, the tweet said.

Staff Writer Jenna Intersimone: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com