NJ Doctor Tries To Get Coronavirus Test, Finds Center 'Abandoned'

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A doctor from New Jersey expressed his frustrations on Tuesday after becoming one of many people who had trouble getting a coronavirus test, as the number of those with the virus continued to climb in New Jersey (4,402 cases and 62 deaths).

Dr. Sean Lucan, a family physician who works in the Bronx and lives in Bergen County, NJ, learned that three of his colleagues tested positive for the virus, so he wanted to find out if he had it and take appropriate measures.

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Many people have encountered red tape and long lines to get tested. Two new testing centers had to close by 10 a.m. earlier this week as lines of cars wrapped around blocks. They reopened the next day.

Lucan, who graduated from medical school 14 years ago, expressed in a series of Tweets this week how frustrating the process was:

I am a physician.
I am sick.
I almost certainly have #COVID19
3\ clinic colleagues have tested positive for #coronavirus

Yet due to limited tests,
I don't meet criteria for testing at my institution.

Called #NewJersey today.
Given priority ...
FOR A TEST CENTER THAT WAS CLOSED!
— Sean C. Lucan, MD (@SeanLucan)

In a phone interview on Wednesday, he said he called a number he found on the web to locate the nearest testing site.

"It was incredibly frustrating," he said. "I had Googled how to get testing. I found the sites that were available ... They directed me to nearest center, Paramus."

He added, "I drove over there. Not only was it not open; it looked abandoned. This was around 1 p.m. I called to find out what was going on. I was on hold 15 minutes to 20 minutes. The person was clueless and thought the site should have been open. They said maybe it ran out of tests early. They have a minimal number of tests. Once they're done, they're done."

Lucan said the center was not the same as the one in Bergen County that had to close at 10 a.m. on Sunday. He visited on Tuesday.

He ended up heading to New York State, to the town of New Rochelle, which had an early case. He said he went there because some of his patients had gone there. While that site was only open to residents of the town, he got preference because he was a medical provider.

He said, "I've had a dry cough over a week, but I only started to feel sick two or three days ago, I had no shortness of breath or fever, but other symptoms were emerging. I knew I had been exposed."

He said at this point, he's sure he has the virus. "As a public health researcher and someone with a [degree] in epidemiology, regardless of what the test shows, I know the probability is almost 100 percent," he said. "If the test comes back negative, I'm going to view that as a false negative."

When he got to New Rochelle, "It was a world of difference. It was operated with military precision, probably because it was operated by the military. The National Guard was operating it. It was in ship shape."

Lucan questioned why New York is more organized than New Jersey, noting that there's no way to call a specific testing center to see if it's open.

Residents who have questions about the virus can call 211 or contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222.

"I know New York is the epicenter and has more resources," he said. "That doesn't mean surrounding communities are less affected. I'm not sure why there's such a stark contrast or disparity. New Jersey isn't Alaska."

The upshot, Lucan said, is that if even a doctor has trouble navigating this situation, others will be "panicked and frustrated" if they head to a closed testing center.

"I think this whole situation has been a wakeup call that we were not as well-prepared as some lesser developed or smaller countries," he said. "You would think that us being one of the wealthiest countries, we'd be a model, but we're playing catchup, to the disadvantage of everyone affected."

Thursday morning he Tweeted an update:

At least 9 clinic colleagues now #COVID19 positive!
My test *still* pending.

I'm concerned sample's been lost.

No record of test being done when I call (although unsure of the process as still within 48-hr window ...)

Regardless, delay = disaster for #patients #publichealth
— Sean C. Lucan, MD (@SeanLucan)

Lucan said the providers in his office are now seeing patients via telemedicine.

So what does he think of the current social distancing and isolation measures to slow the spread?

"I think it's the right move," he said. "But it came too late."

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