As labs nationwide face delays due to demand, Jersey City is partnering with a new provider to improve response times to as little as 72 hours.
Obtaining test results quickly is critical in curtailing the spread of the virus which has infected 6,894 Jersey City residents and caused 513 deaths since March, according to the city.
Delayed results keep employees who are waiting to be informed of their negative test results from going back to work, and increase the potential for those who test positive to unintentionally spread the virus.
Through a new partnership with Rapid Reliable Testing LLC, the city will test residents using COVID-19 Nasal Swabs with results that are “significantly faster than the national and state averages, which often exceeds 10 days.”
Results will be available within 48 to 72 hours through an online patient portal offered by Mako Medical Laboratories.
“Faster turnaround times are imperative to the health and safety of our entire community in order for anyone infected to make vital medical decisions that can protect their family and others from infection,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “We were the first in the state to introduce city-run testing sites. … Absent a vaccine, testing is one of the few proven effective ways to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.”
Faster results
Jersey City employees piloted the new partnership with Rapid Reliable Testing for the past three weeks with results within 48 to 72 hours.
“The new system’s patient portal is easier to use as it is text and computer compatible,” said Director of Health and Human Services Stacey Flanagan. “The more user friendly we can make it, the more people will want to get tested, and we can monitor our population and maintain low transmission rates.”
Previously, the city had partnered with BioReference, a primary testing lab with the state.
Through that partnership, sincxe March, Jersey City issued more than 50,000 free nasal and antibody tests for people who live and work within city limits.
A delay in results has made the “test basically worthless,” according to the mayor.
Accessible testing
The city has striven to reach more residents and increase demand for testing through mobile testing sites at all senior and public housing locations.
It has also offered testing and supplies to help business and restaurant owners reopen faster while complying with COVID-19 mandates.
Testing at the 465 Marin Blvd. walk-up site remains free for everyone, whether insured or uninsured, under the new partnership with Rapid Reliable Testing LLC.
No appointment is necessary. Tests are offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m., to 3 p.m.
Results can be obtained through the Mako patient portal by going to mako.luminatehealth.com or by testing “Mako” to 66349. The patient must then click “sign up” and follow the prompts on the portal to access their results.
For updates on this and other stories check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.
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August 27, 2020 at 06:53PM
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