Hudson Regional Hospital, known as Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center until January 2018, has announced Tuesday that it will be opening a drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility at 55 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus.
These tests are part of the larger COVID-19 response program at the hospital to ensure that, not only are patients with the virus effectively treated, but the hospital will be able to help slow down the infection rate and prevent more cases, according to a news release.
Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, CEO and president of Hudson Regional Hospital, said, “Hudson Regional Hospital developed our testing system to assure that the community gets the most benefit from our medical staff and the limited number of testing kits.”
The hospital has set up a hotline for individuals to call if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. It can be reached at 201-388-1097.
A health care professional will then speak to the individual and, upon determining it necessary to screen the individual, will set up an appointment for testing at the hospital, which will be done via the drive-thru screening. Results are said to be made available after three to five days.
According to the release, the hospital has set up “internal practices and protocols” to care for COVID-19 patients and prevent infection from spreading within the hospital itself, such as screening hospital employees twice daily.
Kifaieh added, “We will provide regular updates throughout the COVID-19 crisis and we expect to expand and improve this program as instant tests become available in greater quantities.”
