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Cooper University Health Care has begun COVID-19 testing in its own laboratory.

The announcement came on Monday, a week after Cooper launched a specimen collection location in Cherry Hill. It now has the ability to both collect specimens and run tests all conducted by Cooper personnel.

“We are pleased to announce that Cooper will be able to test more of our patients as well as our team of tremendous doctors and nurses more quickly to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said George Norcross III, chairman of Cooper’s board of trustees.

Cooper is using test kits from Abbott Laboratories that are compatible with its laboratory equipment. Cooper’s trained team will begin running tests on its hospitalized patients – or inpatients – immediately.

“As the leading academic health system and only trauma center in South Jersey, it is critical we can quickly determine positive COVID-19 patients to stop the spread of the virus, free up isolation rooms and space in the hospital for those who need to be there, and release those who are safe to be cared for elsewhere,” said Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-president and c0-chief executive officer of Cooper.

Kevin O’Dowd, co-president and co-CEO, said that Cooper plays an essential role in protecting the health and safety of the southern New Jersey region.

“Today’s testing announcement is a significant development for the communities we serve. Cooper will continue to do all we can to reduce the spread of this virus as well as continuing to care for those infected,” O’Dowd said.

Cooper joins Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health in testing COVID-19 specimens at in-house labs.

HMH is processing about 50 tests a day throughout its network and RWJBarnabas is testing in one of its hospital labs.

“Hospitals and health systems across the nation are struggling with adequate testing capacity. Our network’s new test is processing an average 50 tests a day. This internal capacity has helped us more quickly test highest priority patients under investigation. In addition, we have expanded our external lab capacity by partnering with LabCorp, Quest and BioReference,” said Dr. Daniel Varga, chief physician executive, Hackensack Meridian Health.