Testing might just be the most important weapon we have against preventing even more of an outbreak of the Coronavirus. If you have been Googling local places to get tested for COVID-19, New Jersey is in the midst of setting up testing stations throughout the state. And of course, nationwide, the setup of testing sites is a priority.
“Expanding access to testing is critical in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve in New Jersey,” Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement. “I am grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their swift response in fulfilling our request for specimen collection kits and personal protective equipment so that we can successfully offer expansive drive-thru testing in New Jersey.”
Interested in getting a COVID-19 test or learning more about them? Keep reading for all you need to know about COVID-19 testing in NJ and where you can get a test locally!
Who Sets Up COVID-19 Testing Sites?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency {FEMA} is lending a hand to the set-up and management of 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.
See More: Resources for Local Businesses Affected By COVID-19 Closures + How You Can Help
Where are Local Testing Sites for COVID-19?
Here is where you can get tested in Northern NJ:
Riverside Medical Group in Hoboken has a COVID-19 testing site in North Hoboken for all Mile Square residents and Hoboken business employees, with or without symptoms, that offers 15-minute rapid testing results — residents must call 201-420-5621 to schedule a test through the City Hall hotline on Monday through Friday from 9:00AM-1:00PM. The City is testing all residents for antibodies — residents must register online at http://www.hobokennj.gov/
An additional 250 testing appointments are now available for Hoboken residents and Hoboken business employees with sign-ups now available at http://www.hobokennj.gov/promptmd.
Riverside Medical Group in Secaucus has is a drive-thru testing site located at 351 16th Street at its command center {this is a new location as of 11/28}. Open from Monday through Friday from 9:00AM-1:00PM and Saturdays 10:00AM-1:00PM, the command center is by appointment only.
Hudson Regional Hospital is also providing drive-thru Coroanvirus 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. 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 has a COVID-19 testing drive-thru site. 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.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center has a drive-through center at 230 East Ridgewood, Avenue. The site is open to Bergen County residents who are symptomatic.
Find a full list of statewide testing centers here.
How Long do Tests Take to Get Results?
According to Hudson Regional, 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.
Read More: Feeling Lonely? 7 Ways to Prioritize Human Connection While Social Distancing
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.”
How many cases of COVID-19 are There in New Jersey?
As of Friday, April 17th Governor Murphy announced as many as 78,467 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state of New Jersey.
According to Governor Murphy, New Jersey is one of 12 “priority states,” as identified by FEMA. This means that testing sites are supported by the federal agency in an effort to provide necessary resources to the state of NJ.
We will keep you updated on this developing news. For additional resources, consult the New Jersey Department of Health, the CDC’s FAQ page, and the CDC’s COVID-19 page.
Got a news tip? Let us know — email us at [email protected]! We appreciate it.
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Stevens Cooperative School to Host Inaugural Young Women of Color Conference in JC
With International Women's Day quickly approaching, we've been excited to see the local buzz and events popping up all centered around Women's History Month. This year, we wanted to spotlight the first-ever Young Women of Color Conference hosted by Stevens Cooperative School happening on March 8th. Read on to learn more about this Jersey City event.
About The Event
On Saturday, March 8th, 2025, in honor of International Women's Day, the Stevens Cooperative School will host the inaugural Young Women of Color Conference. The event is designed for young women of color in the 6th-10th grade range. The event will create a safe space for young women to explore their identities, connect with others, and hone in on the development of leadership skills.
Photo Credit: Stevens Cooperative School
Read More: 46 Women Community Leaders Making a Difference in Hoboken + Jersey City
In addition to group discussions and workshops, the team at Stevens has also prepared a distinguished lineup of inspiring speakers and panelists. Stevens shared the list of participants via press release which is as follows:
- Shanelle Kaul: CBS News correspondent and anchor of the network’s overnight broadcast, the CBS News Roundup.
- Shakera Rosa: founder of the popular mom blog Mile Square Mommies and creator of J.U.M.P. (Jubilee Urban Melanin Project), a platform celebrating and amplifying Black and Brown voices.
- Raakhee Mirchandani: children’s book author, longtime journalist, and dedicated community leader.
- Alix Zargar: Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn who has worked in both the Domestic Violence Bureau and the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.
- Nisha Vedi Pawar: the creative force behind Love Laugh Mirch, a digital hub celebrating South Asian culture, family, and food.
- Kim Y. Lew: CEO of Columbia Investment Management Company, which manages Columbia University’s endowment, and a former Stevens Board Chair.
- Bernadine So: Executive Assistant to the President of Clearing + Securities Services at DTCC and former Goldman Sachs professional.
- Jahayra Harrell: a serial entrepreneur in the garment industry and founder of Isa de Ponce, a fashion brand honoring Puerto Rican heritage through storytelling and design."
Stevens' Director of Institutional Equity, Margaret Belkhyat also shared via press release that “Our goal is to create a space where young women can see themselves reflected in leadership, share their experiences and build confidence in their voices,” and hopes that this conference will create a "meaningful platform" for "dialogue and personal growth.”
Attending The Event
The Young Women of Color Conference will take place from 8AM-3PM at 100 River Drive South in Jersey City which is close to local transportation. The facility is located within walking distance of the Hoboken Terminal, NJ Transit, NY Waterway, and the Newport PATH Station. Paid parking is also available just across the street at the River Market Garage. The garage can be accessed via 20 North Boulevard in Jersey City. Interested attendees can register for the event here.
See More: A List of Women-Owned Businesses in Montclair
About Stevens Cooperative School
Stevens Cooperative School is a vital part of the local community. Stevens is committed to progressive education and values the importance of an inclusive and diverse learning environment. The school caters to children ranging from Pre-K through 8th grade and aims to equip students with strong critical thinking and leadership skills. Stevens has campuses in both Hoboken (301 Garden Street) and Jersey City (100 River Drive South).
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