Infinity BiologiX CEO Robin Grimwood said she is thrilled the company has been selected to provide free at-home saliva tests for COVID-19 — a program that was announced earlier this week.
IBX, which previously operated as RUCDR Infinite Biologics before spinning off from Rutgers University in August 2020, made news in May 2020 when it released the saliva test, believed to be the first of its kind.
It was touted as a key to testing. Here’s how it will be just that in a federally funded program run by Vault Medical Services and the state Department of Health.
- Request a kit here and receive it through next-day delivery;
- Take the 15-minute test at home, connecting with a Vault official on Zoom if needed;
- Send the test back in pre-paid packaging through UPS’ next-day delivery;
- Receive your result in 24-48 hours. The results are shared with local public health officials.
State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the free at-home testing program is in addition to traditional COVID-19 testing at sites throughout New Jersey and may be more convenient for people who have trouble leaving the house to get tested.
An increase in testing clearly is needed, as the state is facing a rise in COVID cases due to the Omicron variant — in addition to the fact that initial vaccinations are believed to be waning in effectiveness.
More than 7 million New Jerseyans have received at least one vaccine shot, but only 1.5 million of those eligible for a booster have done so.
Persichilli, speaking Wednesday at the one-year anniversary of the first vaccine shot in the state, said the need is great.
“With waning immunity and increased holiday travel and gatherings, it is critical for everyone to maintain their protection against this virus,” she said. “Over 4.7 million people are eligible for booster doses in New Jersey and yet only about 37% have gotten that additional shot of protection so far. We must do better.”
