Jersey City will now offer free coronavirus testing to all residents — even those without symptoms, the mayor announced.
“Absent a vaccine or treatment, testing is currently one of the few proven effective ways to slow and track the spread of this virus, which is why we’ve taken the initiative to be aggressive in our approach to protect our residents,” Mayor Steven M. Fulop said in a statement.
The coronavirus tests are available by appointment, with mobile testing possible for some residents in senior living housing and public housing sites.
“We’re at a point where 7 weeks into this we have a better understanding and our residents can use their test results responsibly to slow the pace and reduce risks not only for their immediate friends and family, but also for the community overall,” Fulop said.
The city announced it will also soon make antibody tests, which detect past infections, available for residents.
“This testing is the latest step to move Jersey City in the direction of cautiously enabling residents and businesses start the recovery process, as the antibody tests are key identifiers that health experts say will enable healthcare workers, first responders, city employees, and residents return to work, to their families, or to take care of loved ones in need,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
Hudson County, which contains Jersey City, has reported 15,769 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 845 fatalities since the outbreak began, according to the latest figures from John Hopkins University.
