New Jerseyans can now have a COVID-19 test shipped for free to their home under a new program the state announced this month.
The state Health Department has partnered with test provider Vault Medical Services on the federally funded program, which state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said will increase testing “availability and accessibility” throughout New Jersey.
It comes as the Garden State continues to see COVID-19 numbers rise as the winter and holiday seasons arrive. Persichilli testing is “critical” to help track and prevent upticks.
New Jersey on Sunday reported another seven confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 12,538 confirmed positive cases, bringing the state’s seven-day case average to a new pandemic record just as statewide coronavirus hospitalizations reached their highest number in nearly 10 months.
Persichilli said this program is in addition to traditional COVID-19 testing at sites throughout the state and may be more convenient for people who have trouble leaving the house to get tested.
“With cases rising and holiday gatherings and travel, you want to protect yourself, especially if you are not feeling well or believe you may have been exposed — even if you don’t have any symptoms,” Persichilli said during the state’s last week’s coronavirus briefing in Trenton.
The saliva test can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes at home. You can request a test kit at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/.
One of our reporters ordered one and detailed her experience with it.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter| Homepage
The kits are shipped through UPS with next-day delivery, Persichilli said. Once you receive it, you will hold a Zoom call with a Vault health care professional to guide you through the test and answer your questions, she said.
You then send the test back in pre-paid packaging through UPS’ next-day delivery, Persichilli said. You must drop off the package at a UPS site or dropbox.
You’ll receive results 24 to 48 hours after your sample arrives at the lab, she said.
However, as of Monday, the company says results may take 2-3 days after the sample is received by the lab.
The results are also automatically shared with local public health officials, Persichilli said.
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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @johnsb01.
Free COVID tests can be delivered to your door in N.J. Here’s how. - NJ.com
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