Rapid Coronavirus Saliva Tests Now Available In Asbury Park

ASBURY PARK – The recently FDA -cleared saliva tests for the coronvirus developed at Rutgers University are now available for new and existing patients of VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Center located in Asbury Park, effective immediately.

This week, expanded accessibility to testing of patients with potential exposure to COVID-19 and experiencing symptoms will also be available at the Health Center's Freehold, Keyport and Red Bank locations, Christopher Rinn, CEO of VNACJ Community Health Center Inc., announced.

"Saliva tests are less intrusive than the deep nasal swab that have been widely used since the coronavirus pandemic broke out. They are safer for health care workers administering the procedure and they require less personal protective equipment than the deep nasal swab," said Mr. Rinn.

"The saliva is simply collected in a tube with an RNA preservative solution."

"As testing expands across the state, it is vital that we prioritize vulnerable populations such as those served by New Jersey's Federally Qualified Health Centers," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli.

Dr. Andrew Brooks, Professor of Genetics at Rutgers said: "The continued expansion and repeat testing using a saliva-based approach in the community will have a tremendous impact on making sure New Jersey is prepared to resume normal day activities."

"We are thrilled to provide this important service to our patients throughout Monmouth County and to support Governor Phil Murphy's efforts to make testing more available so that we can reopen our New Jersey businesses and public spaces," Rinn said. "We are proud that VNACJ is the first Federally Qualified Health Center in New Jersey, if not the nation, to provide these tests and we are grateful to our partners RUCD Rand Accurate Diagnostic Labs for their support of the communities we serve."

Patients who are experiencing symptoms or fear they have been exposed to the coronavirus should schedule an appointment by calling the Health Center at 732-774-6333 or contact the team through their website at vnachc.org/contact-us/