Health & Fitness

Coronavirus Antibody Testing Now Offered In Secaucus

The blood test is offered to anyone —​ not just healthcare or front-line workers, or people who have been sick —​ and will cost $95.

The blood test is offered to anyone —​ not just healthcare or front-line workers, or people who have been sick —​ and will cost $95.
The blood test is offered to anyone —​ not just healthcare or front-line workers, or people who have been sick —​ and will cost $95. (Shutterstock)

SECAUCUS, NJ — Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus is now offering coronavirus antibody testing. The testing is open to anyone — not just healthcare or front-line workers, or people who have been sick — and will cost $95.

The test will determine if someone has been exposed to or potentially had coronavirus, and developed the antibodies to fight the infection.

Hudson Regional is accepting walk-ins with and without a physician’s prescription between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, and between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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The cost for those who come to their appointment without a prescription or insurance is $95 (collected at time of test). The hospital will go through patients’ insurance for those who have a prescription and insurance.

The test involves having one's blood taken, with results sent out to a lab. Results will be faxed to the ordering physician or faxed, mailed or emailed to the patient directly for those without a script, within one to two days.

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World Health Organization officials warned last week that the evidence of coronavirus antibodies in one's blood does not guarantee immunity. And public health experts warn that antibody testing does not tell us enough to guide public policy decisions.

However, some doctors report that positive antibody test indicates that a patient may have some level of protection against reinfection. And any knowledge about the virus can help scientists and doctors learn more. Hudson Regional Hospital’s laboratory is now equipped to perform up to 400 antibody tests per day, and is sharing testing results with the state and CDC for analysis.

“Those who get tested can give the medical community a better understanding of how many people were truly affected and can provide a broader picture of who remains vulnerable,” said Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, CEO of Hudson Regional Hospital. “The test is one of many factors being analyzed by our elected officials to determine a safe timeframe to begin resumption of business.”

U.S. officials and corporations across America are pouring money into antibody testing, hoping it will give people confidence to return to work and reopen parts of the economy.

Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus is the designated COVID-19 testing site for Hudson County. Patients currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should got to the nearest emergency room immediately.


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