Early on in "the crisis," I asked about Covid testing. I have been following the news but did not realize that it has become very easy for asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic people to get tested.
Free, drive thru site at a Rite Aid in Newark, self swab, results available in 2-5 days. Appointments are available a couple of days out.
Might be good for people to do who are returning from "non-distancing" weekends.
How about testing for anti-bodies? I am kind of curious about that, but I don't want to take test capacity away from those who need it more if they are scarce.
From what I've read, most of the antibody tests are still unreliable. The one that is best requires a blood draw so you probably need a doctor's order. I don't think testing capacity is scarce at this point.
Since my job frequently takes me into hospitals I just scheduled a test at RiteAid. It's across from University Hospital next to the IHOP. Sadly I won't be able to get pancakes after my test.
You need a Google account to sign up for the testing apparently.
A Google Account is needed for you to join the COVID-19 testing program in order to protect your privacy. By creating an account, you'll be able to take the screener and, if eligible, schedule an appointment, and get access to your test results via email.
Data collected through this testing program will never be joined with your data stored in Google products without your explicit permission.
Scheduling right now is for Friday. They gave me four options to choose from. Apparently it will be 2-5 days (or longer) to receive my results.
I got an antibody test today at the SMG urgent care on Northfield. They're testing about 140 people a day in a tent far from the building. Getting an appointment took about a week, and tests are available to anyone. It's the finger stick panel, with results in 10 minutes. The phlebotomist who did mine said they're seeing a positive rate of around 10 percent.
I got the test because I thought I'd been exposed in February and hoped to be a plasma donor. My result was negative. No google account necessary.
I just looked at SMG's website and it says you have to be a current SMG patient (seen by an SMG provider in the past three years). If not a current SMG patient, then you can go to a CityMD location.
I just got an email saying that CVS on Valley Street (Maplewood South Orange border) is now doing drive up self-testing, symptomatic only, registration required. No mention of need for prescription requirement. From text I would conclude that this is active infection rather than antibody testing. Point is that testing is becoming more widely available now. Health Department should be able to tell you what sites are closest to you that would meet your needs.
Please spread the word of the following free COVID-19 testing sites provided by Essex County. Please note that there will be one scheduled here in Maplewood on Thursday, June 4th at the Maplewood Community Pool from 4-6:30 pm.
This will be a drive –thru with the option for walk up testing for those who do not have access to a car but all testing needs to be scheduled at http://essexcovid.org
I hear that the nasal one is brutal. I had the throat swab a few weeks ago at SMG and it wasn't bad at all. Just wondering about options for future tests as I think it is something many of us may need to do at intervals in the future.
I have had the nasal swab twice now. Once at RiteAid in Newark (something called Project Baseline - free testing, no symptom screening, but you need a Gmail address) and once at CityMD on 22 in Union. I'll find out soon if my insurance covers the CITYMD test.
The swab is not fun, maybe borderline brutal. They stick it in and you feel like you have to REALLY REALLY SNEEZE REALLY BADLY for about 10 seconds. Your body is definitely sending strong signals that there is something in a place that it doesnt belong! I tapped my foot to distract myself while it was happening. I would NOT want to do that every day. Maybe once a week if it was available.
When I went to RiteAid/Newark (104 12th Avenue) location, they gave me a self-service nasal swab (nasal mid-turbinate). I was NOT supposed to reach it way up as they do with the other method . That was the first week of June. Maybe the store could tell you which test they are doing now.
Went to Weequahic today and they did the nasopharyngeal (??) swab-way up the nose. It was not pleasant but only took a few seconds, I think less than 10. I would say about 7 on the pain meter but it was over quickly.
I had a test at Weequahic in mid-June. Had symptoms. Had a virtual doctor appointment and he said that I likely had it. Got tested and eight (count them- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8!) days later I got the results. By that time, I was already out of quarantine—ten days plus three with no fever and no respiratory symptoms. It was absurd, but I stayed home and kept my distance from my husband. Did I have it? Maybe... false negatives are common (30+%). How did I get it? No clue. I am super careful, but as my doctor said, “This disease is heartless.”
I keep hearing radio ads to New Yorkers that say "get tested, get tested so that our test and trace crew can help if needed" (or somthing like that.) But I have yet to hear any specific recommendation for if/when/how often an asymptomatic person who has not been in any known risky situations, not commuting, etc. should get tested. Also, does NJ (or our area) have a "test and trace" program like NYC is touting?
Early on in "the crisis," I asked about Covid testing. I have been following the news but did not realize that it has become very easy for asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic people to get tested.
Free, drive thru site at a Rite Aid in Newark, self swab, results available in 2-5 days. Appointments are available a couple of days out.
Might be good for people to do who are returning from "non-distancing" weekends.
https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing