Coronavirus Spit Test Now Offered At Red Bank YMCA

RED BANK, NJ — Coronavirus/COVID-19 testing is now offered at the Red Bank Family YMCA. Even better, this is the Rutgers-developed coronavirus "spit test," which is much less invasive than the nasal swab.

This is drive-through or walk-up testing, whichever you prefer. You must have an appointment.

If you are interested in getting tested, call the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey at 732.294.2540 for a telehealth screening or go to the website vnachc.org/contact-us to determine if you qualify for testing.

The test site at the Red Bank Y, located at 166 Maple Ave., is open by appointment only from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Patients can drive through and will be given a kit through their car window. Walkers will be asked to sit on a bench outside of the Y. The testing takes approximately 15 minutes.

Results will be provided 2-3 days after the saliva screening.

Fees are on a sliding scale and/or based upon the individual’s health insurance coverage.

The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County partnered with the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey to offer the COVID test at the Red Bank Y. As Patch reported, the spit test was developed at Rutgers University.

The coronavirus saliva test is less intrusive than the deep nasal swab tests, said Christopher Rinn, director of the Visiting Nurse Association.

“They are safer for healthcare workers administering the procedure and they require less personal protective equipment than the deep nasal swab,” he added.

As of June 1, New Jersey has more than 160,000 positive cases reported, and 11,700 deaths from the coronavirus.

"Red Bank is grateful that our local Y and the VNA have teamed up to provide easy access to COVID-19 testing for our residents and those in neighboring towns," said Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna.