the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today announced the opening of a COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site at Bergen Community College in Paramus. The testing site, established in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be staffed by the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey National Guard. Beginning on Friday, March 20th, the drive-thru testing center will be open seven days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Priority will be given to symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever (99.6F or above) and shortness of breath.
It is extremely important that only New Jerseys residents with fever or signs or symptoms of respiratory illness visit the testing location. We must reserve our testing capacity for those who are sick and may exposure others.
“We are working tirelessly to contain the spread of the coronavirus in New Jersey,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This testing site will be a tremendous asset to our mission and an invaluable health care resource for New Jersey citizens.
“The testing of residents is a mission the New Jersey National Guard is ready to assist with in the battle against COVID-19,” said Brig. Gen. Jemal J. Beale, the Adjutant General and Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Our Citizen Soldiers and Airmen stand ready to serve where ever the Governor needs us.”
Community-Based Testing Sites are for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Individuals who are not symptomatic will not be tested, as it diverts critical resources such as testing kits and laboratory materials from those who are ill. Each site will be provided with an allocation of 2,500 specimen collection kits and Personal Protective Equipment for all staff. The specimen collections will be transmitted to the contracted laboratory twice per day and results will be reported within 2-5 business days. Testing is free and will be covered by the federal government or personal insurance company. Individuals are encouraged to bring insurance cards if they have one.
