Where are the local testing sites for COVID-19?
Currently, privately-run testing sites are located at Riverside Medical Group in Secaucus and at Hudson Regional Hospital, also in Secaucus. Other local areas offering COVID-19 testing include Paramus, Holmdel, New Brunswick, and Camden County. Each of these testing sites, set up by FEMA, are allocated 2,500 specimen collection kits, as well as protective equipment for staff. Here are further details for each testing site:
Riverside Medical Group is a drive-thru testing site located at 714 10th Street in Secaucus. Open from Monday through Friday from 9:00AM-5:00PM and Saturdays 10:00AM-1:00PM, the command center is by appointment only.
Hudson Regional Hospital is also providing drive-thru testing by appointment. Located at 55 Meadowlands Park in Secaucus, hospital staff recommends calling 201-388-1097 to start the screening process if you are experiencing the following symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. After calling, a healthcare professional will examine your symptoms over the phone, take your information down, and if deemed necessary, will set up an appointment for a drive-thru screening.
Bergen County Community College in Paramus is open as a testing site as of March 20th. The drive-thru testing center is open seven days a week, from 8:00AM -4:00PM. To qualify for testing, you must: be a current New Jersey resident experiencing symptoms of “respiratory illness.” Tests will be prioritized and given to people experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever {99.6F or above}, and shortness of breath.
PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel is expected to open a COVID-19 testing drive-thru site sometime next week. PNC is located at 116 Garden State Parkway.
Hackensack Meridian Hospital in New Brunswick is also offering COVID-19 testing, though they do not have drive-thru sites currently set up.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, also in New Brunswick, also is offering COVID-19 testing at this time.
Camden County College Blackwood’s campus has COVID-19 drive-thru sites set up, but as of March 19th, has not yet been distributed the necessary Coronavirus tests.
Who Sets Up COVID-19 Testing Sites?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established and is managing these new emergency COVID-19 testing facilities. Most testing sites will be outdoor drive-thru scenarios, with separated tents, and will feature barriers to appropriately manage parking lot traffic.
How Long Do Tests Take to Get Results?
Test results for Coronavirus should be available within 3-5 days.
What Are the COVID-19 Tests?
According to the Centers of Disease Control {CDC}, initial diagnostic testing for COVID-19 “recommends collecting and testing an upper respiratory nasopharyngeal swab {NP}.”
If available, the CDC also recommends testing lower tract specimens. “For patients who develop a productive cough, sputum should be collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2.”
Testing is recommended for symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
Each testing site is allocated 2,500 specimen collection kits. After being used, the specimen collections will be brought to a contracted laboratory twice a day.
Is COVID-19 Testing Free?
According to the CDC, COVID-19 testing is free. President Trump declared COVID-19 testing would be free for all earlier last week.
“Testing is free and will be covered by the federal government or personal insurance company,” the site states. “Individuals are encouraged to bring insurance cards if they have one.”
-Sources credit: NorthJersey.com, CDC, USA Today
