Marlboro COVID Test Site Employs Recycled Shipping Containers

MARLBORO, NJ - One man’s trash is another man’s COVID-19 testing location.

That’s the new motto of Old Bridge-based retail real estate service company R.J. Brunelli & Co, who recently partnered with Mobile Health Solutions to expand coronavirus testing centers in parking lots of shopping centers and elsewhere throughout the state.

With the help of R.J. Brunelli & Co., the Immediate Care Medical-affiliated company has retrofitted former shipping containers to be used as socially-distant and temperature-controlled COVID-19 testing centers. In fact, the 8-ft. by 20-ft. testing centers are designed to occupy only two to three parking spaces in a parking lot.

"This is all about visibility, so we are focused on locations offering high traffic, good signage and easy access along major shopping corridors. While strip centers and regional malls are preferred, we will also consider non-retail locations,” said Danielle Brunelli, President and Principal of R.J. Brunelli, in a statement.

"Because the service is offered on an appointment-only basis, landlords do not have to worry about lines of cars tying up traffic in their lots. This is an excellent way for landlords to provide an important service to their community at a time when people across the country are clamoring to get tested."

The shipping containers can be found at COVID-19 testing locations in four New Jersey towns: East Windsor, Marlboro, Middletown and Old Bridge, according to NJ.com.

Each site offers PCR COVID-19 testing, with results from FDA-approved labs provided within 48 hours. All forms of insurance and Medicare are accepted; no co-payments are due at the time of service. All paperwork can be filled out in advance online, or in the patient's car.

The recycled units can be configured to include 2 or 4 private testing rooms with HVAC filtration and fans, each with their own doors to the parking lot, assuring privacy and safety for patients.

"With entries on both sides, the units can handle up to four patients at a time, with the typical visit taking under 10 minutes," said Sal Cannizzaro, principal of Mobile Health Solutions and Immediate Care Medical. "Each room is fully sanitized between visits, and all units come equipped with a sink, negative air flow system, heat and air conditioning. Power is supplied by a generator."