With the recent opening of schools, and cold and flu season lurking close behind, it’s more important than ever to have access to COVID-19 testing to ensure a healthy and safe fall and winter season. Is your child’s runny nose due to allergies or a mild cold, or something more? There are many testing options available around Bergen County, both rapid tests and PCR tests, which test for active infections. The turnaround for the PCR test is typically three to five days, while rapid test results are available within 30 minutes. Another test option is the antibody test, which detect antibodies within your immune system from previous exposure. Testing is available to all residents, whether you’re asymptomatic or showing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache and more.
For an easy, no-appointment-necessary test, your go-to is an urgent care center. Before going, check to see which type of COVID-19 test the urgent care center offers to meet your needs: the PCR test and the rapid test. CityMD, with locations in Ramsey, Edgewater and Paramus, offers the PCR test for walk-in only patients, with results typically available in three to five days. American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care in Hillsdale and Paramus are providing COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing as well once patients have scheduled a telemedicine visit. Rapid COVID-19 tests as well as PCR tests are available just over the NJ border at MedRite in Spring Valley, with no appointment necessary and results available in as little as 30 minutes. Golden Health Care Specialty Pharmacy in Garfield is also offering tests without referrals or symptoms, with results available in about 10 to 20 minutes.
Prefer to avoid Urgent Care clinics? Check out Rochelle Park Medical Imaging in Rochelle Park for rapid testing, as well as Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, which provides testing after a telehealth assessment or physician order, and results in about five days. Bergen New Bridge will also be restarting their mobile testing on September 28, available for Bergen County residents. Wear a mask, wash your hands and stay safe out there!
