NJ Expands Coronavirus Saliva Test To New Brunswick Site

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — New Jersey continues to expand access — albeit slowly — to its groundbreaking coronavirus saliva test: Starting this Thursday, the coronavirus spit test will now be offered at a third public site, this one in New Brunswick. This will be the third site for the saliva test: The "spit" test is already being offered at the Edison MVC site and the South Brunswick MVC site.

The appointment-only COVID-19 testing site will open this Thursday, April 30 at the A.C. Redshaw Elementary School, located at 216 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Right now, the saliva tests are only available to Middlesex County residents. Also, anyone wishing to be tested must have symptoms and make an appointment.

Despite Gov. Phil Murphy's push to test the asymptomatic, this site is still only testing people who have the classic COVID-19 symptoms: A cough, shortness of breath or fever. If you have no symptoms, you cannot be tested. Also, only Middlesex County residents will be tested.

The site will do testing this week, on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The saliva test is being administered by Middlesex County, which is offering this free for Middlesex County residents, said Freeholder Ronald Rios.

As Patch reported, the saliva test for coronavirus was developed at Rutgers University and is the only test of its kind currently being used in the entire nation. The saliva test is much less painful and invasive than the nasal swab test: You just spit into a test tube instead of a cotton swab far up your nose.

The saliva test was granted emergency authorization by the FDA due to the coronavirus emergency. It first started being used April 15 at the Motor Vehicle Commission Inspection site in Edison.

It appears state officials are trying a slow roll-out of the new test.

County officials said they do not yet have the capacity – both in test kits and PPE — to test those not exhibiting symptoms.

It also promises faster results, within 24-48 hours. There is also much less exposure to healthcare workers administering the tests, as all one has to do is provide a saliva sample into a tube. Third, because the saliva tests can be processed more quickly, more people can be tested in one day — potentially up to 10,000 per day.

Last week, New Jersey expanded the saliva test, but not to the general public: They started using the saliva tests at five developmental centers throughout the state. These are state homes for people who have intensive needs due to developmental disabilities; many have co-occurring mental health, behavioral health and/or medical needs.

The coronavirus is rapidly spreading in these state homes. There is also talk of expanding the saliva test to New Jersey nursing homes.

Those state homes are in Green Brook, Clinton, New Lisbon, Vineland and Woodbine.

The coronavirus saliva tests were developed at Rutgers' RUCDR Infinite Biologics (part of Rutgers' Human Genetics Institute), in partnership with Spectrum Solutions and Accurate Diagnostic Labs (ADL), both privately owned labs.

RUCDR Infinite Biologics is based in Piscataway and says it is the world's largest university-based cell and DNA repository.

The spit samples are tested at the Infinite Biologics lab in Piscataway.

How to make an appointment to be tested:

To receive testing, you must be a Middlesex County resident (proof of residency is required including, but not limited to: a valid driver’s license; state issued identification; or two pieces of mail including utility bills, bank statements, or similar documentation with name and address), make an appointment online or via phone, as well as either have a valid doctor’s prescription or be exhibiting symptoms which include: fever 100.4 degrees or higher (99.6 degrees for people 65 years and older); respiratory symptoms; and/or shortness of breath.

Those wishing to be tested will be required to make an appointment beginning at 10 a.m. two days before the desired test day. Residents wishing to make an appointment should visit Middlesexcountynj.gov/COVID19testing to register and receive a time to report to the testing site.

If the resident does not have access to the internet or has connectivity problems, they are instructed to call 732-745-3100 to make an appointment beginning at 10 a.m.

If the person is not a Middlesex County resident, does not have a scheduled appointment, or does not have symptoms, they will not receive testing.

Related: NJ Site First In U.S. To Offer Drive-Thru Coronavirus Saliva Test (April 13)

Coronavirus Tests To Begin At NJ Developmental Centers (April 23)

This article originally appeared on the New Brunswick Patch