UPDATE Hoboken Coronavirus Testing Started Saturday

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken NJ Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced Thursday night that Riverside Medical Group, which has adult, pediatric, and specialty practices throughout North Jersey, would open drive-through coronavirus testing in the northern part of Hoboken on Saturday.

Riverside had already set up a testing drive-through in Secaucus.

Bhalla said Sunday that the number of cases in the mile-square city had risen to 21.

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Hoboken is located directly across the Hudson River from midtown Manhattan, and has approximately 53,000 residents.

Bhalla said, "Riverside Medical Center, a local healthcare provider, is setting up a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in North Hoboken, with the exact location to be announced tomorrow. We expect it to open Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm. For right now, Riverside only has the capability to test patients currently enrolled in their system, due to limited testing kits. However, they have informed me that if they are able to acquire additional testing, it could be opened to the public, which I am hopeful can occur. Riverside patients should schedule an appointment by calling 201-863-3346."

Bhalla also said, "I understand the angst and significant concern that many residents have if they are sick and believe they need to be tested. As has been the case, please contact your primary care physician if you have symptoms associated with COVID-19, who can assess and determine whether you should be tested. Unfortunately, as we’re seeing across the country, there is a shortage of testing, and my hope is that more tests can be produced and provided to our medical care facilities in the near future."

[UPDATE: Bhalla sent a notice on Friday night saying, "As announced yesterday, the Riverside Medical Group is opening up an appointment-only testing center in North Hoboken on Saturday. As of right now, the testing center will conduct testing for Riverside patients only. We are hoping that this testing center can obtain additional testing kits soon to expand capacity. In order to be tested, you must call 201-863-3346 to book an appointment." He did not reveal the location of the site, although Riverside has a specialty office near 14th Street.]

He added Thursday, "One important ask I continue to make is to only go to the emergency room at Hoboken University Medical Center if it is a true medical emergency. I spoke to officials from the hospital today who informed me that they are seeing more patients on a daily basis, with significant capacity concerns and more presumed patients in the very near future."

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