A Hudson County-designated COVID-19 testing center will open at Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus on Tuesday, with appointments able to be made via phone by noon tomorrow.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Hudson Regional Hospital has the medical staff, facilities and circulation capacity to allow us to best respond to the need for COVID-19 testing,†Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise said in a statement.
“In addressing this crisis, we have been measuring many factors and we are encouraged that this collaboration provides us the a high-performing program enabling us to safely screen, test and treat patients.â€
The testing center will provide by-appointment service only. Starting at noon tomorrow, appointments may be made by calling 201-388-1097.
The testing site is slated to operate from 10 from a.m. until 5p.m., Monday thru Friday. It will also prioritize testing first responders and expediting their returns so they can return to work as soon as possible.
Additionally, the Secaucus Police Department and Hudson County government have allocated additional staff to assist in the operation of the program.
To that end, Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli expressed enthusiasm for being able to help make the testing center a reality.
“We are pleased to support Hudson Regional Hospital and Hudson County as they work to provide the vital testing needed to help us address the threat of COVID-19,†he stated.
“Cooperation is the key to us containing this virus and we are glad to be part of this important cooperative effort.â€
Hudson Regional Hospital was among the first healthcare institutions in New Jersey to offer drive by testing, and since opening its drive-thru testing facility last Tuesday, has fielded about 250 calls per day from people inquiring about screening and testing.
“We are honored to serve the people of Hudson County as its Designated Testing Center and especially grateful for the County’s work in securing Testing Kits, which have been difficult to obtain,†added Hudson Regional Hospital President and CEO Dr. Nizar Kifaieh.
“Our testing program operated very smoothly in its first week and we are ready to scale it to absorb the county’s requirements.”
Hudson Regional has developed the following testing process:
• If you have a cough or shortness of breath accompanied by a fever please call 201-388-1097 after noon on Monday to begin our screening process.
• You will be asked to discuss your symptoms, and if appropriate, give your information and set an appointment time for a screening. You MUST call and be pre-screened in order be tested on site. No exceptions.
• Your drive-thru screening will take place in your car. If needed, additional tests will be performed in a specially designated area.
• Test results will be provided once available within 3-5 days.
On Friday, HCV first reported that a testing center would be coming to Secaucus.
At around 2 p.m., the New Jersey Department of Health posted new numbers on their website, indicating that there are now 1,904 confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state and 126 throughout Hudson County.
As of approximately 5 p.m. this evening, 104 coronavirus cases have been announced publicly in Hudson County: 53 in Jersey City, 19 in Hoboken, two in West New York, four in Kearny, one in Secaucus, four in Weehawken, 14 in North Bergen, and seven in Bayonne.
