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Testing and Treatment FAQs

  • Where can I get free, public COVID-19 testing or treatment?

    Last Updated: 01/14/2022
    Free COVID-19 testing is available at many locations across the state. Free, at-home COVID-19 saliva PCR tests are available to every New Jerseyan who think they need a test. Order your test by vis...
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  • How do I get a free, at-home COVID-19 saliva test?

    Last Updated: 01/05/2022
    Note: Due to nationwide inventory constraints, Vault has capped the number of daily requests for New Jersey to 30,000 per day. If you try to request a kit and get a message stating that the cap has...
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  • How can I get testing or treatment for COVID-19 if I'm uninsured or undocumented? How do I cover health costs associated with COVID-19?

    Last Updated: 07/14/2021
    COVID-19 testing and treatment is available to everyone in New Jersey regardless of their insurance or immigration status. Below you will find resources for free testing and treatment as well as ho...
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  • What happens if I test positive? How long do I need to stay home?

    Last Updated: 01/07/2022
    If you tested positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status): You should stay home and isolate for at least 5 days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, y...
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  • Can a person test negative and later test positive for COVID-19?

    Viral tests are used to gauge whether you have a current infection. A negative result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in the person's sample. This probably means that the pe...
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  • What type of COVID-19 test should I get and when should I get it? What’s the difference between a molecular/PCR, antigen, and antibody test?

    Last Updated: 01/03/2022
    If you want to find out if you are currently infected with COVID-19, get a diagnostic test. Testing is widely available and open to everyone in New Jersey. Visit covid19.nj.gov/testing to find a te...
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  • How many people have gotten COVID-19 vaccines in New Jersey? How is New Jersey collecting and protecting vaccination data?

    Last Updated: 05/04/2021
    For the latest number of COVID-19 vaccines administered by county, race/ethnicity, age, and gender, refer to the vaccination overview tab on the Department of Health's COVID-19 dashboard. The dashb...
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  • I was tested for COVID-19. How do I get my results?

    Last Updated: 07/14/2020
    Please follow the instructions from your testing site on how to get your test results. Pharmacies, local testing sites, physician's offices, hospitals, and other testing sites operate independently...
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  • How is New Jersey increasing access to COVID-19 testing?

    Last Updated: 01/04/2022
    Expanding access to COVID-19 testing has been a core principle of New Jersey's recovery plan for promoting public health and restoring economic health. New Jersey has been: increasing diagnostic t...
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  • Should I get tested if I do not have symptoms of COVID-19?

    Last Updated: 01/03/2022
    You could have COVID-19 and not even know it. Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community by getting tested for COVID-19. Testing is widely available and open to everyone in New Jersey. V...
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  • Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating the COVID-19?

    No. According to the World Health Organization, antibiotics do not work against viruses. They only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibioti...
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  • Should I take over-the-counter medication to reduce my fever if I think I have COVID-19?

    Over-the-counter options for fever reducers include ibuprofen and acetaminophen. The World Health Organization (WHO) has clarified that it does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen as a self-...
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  • What does pooled testing mean?

    To save supplies, especially in situations where resources are limited, and test more people, pooled testing may be implemented. Pooled testing means taking samples from multiple people, storing pa...
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  • Is it possible to use convalescent serum - antibodies from those who have recovered from COVID-19 - to treat others?

    This is a strategy that is currently being tested. The concept of giving antibodies from one person to another to protect from disease is called passive immunization. You may also hear about this i...
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  • How are suspected COVID-19 cases confirmed?

    People suspected of being infected by the COVID-19 virus will have respiratory samples (i.e. mucus) taken by healthcare professionals that will then be analyzed by public health labs, hospital labs...
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  • What does random testing mean?

    Random testing means selecting people for a test arbitrarily. Take, for example, a test meant to figure out how common COVID-19 exposure is in a town of 10,000 people. Testing everyone who works at...
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  • Should contacts of contacts be tested?

    Last Updated: 01/03/2022
    Being the contact of someone who had close contact with a COVID-19-postive person does not require testing. For example, if you have a coworker whose family member is a confirmed case, you are not ...
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  • Are commercial laboratories conducting COVID-19 testing required to share information with the Department of Health?

    Last Updated: 03/25/2020
    In a joint letter to commercial laboratory operators, Jared M. Maples, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the Chair of the New Jersey Domestic Security Prep...
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  • Is it possible to test if someone had the virus but is cured now?

    Serological tests (tests that look for antibodies specific to a bacteria or virus) are a common diagnostic for other infections and could be developed. A serological test could tell you if you have...
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  • How does the CDC COVID-19 test work?

    CDC recommends collecting and testing a single upper respiratory sample. This sample is then processed. Using a technique called real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)...
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  • How does a typical COVID-19 test work?

    The tests generally take a sample from a patient and process it so that the virus's specific genetic signature can be detected. Drafted 16 March 2020
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  • What do I do if I am sick?

    If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have COVID-19, contact your healthcare pr...
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  • What happens when you get COVID-19 and it’s bad enough that you need to be treated in the hospital?

    Because COVID-19 is a new disease, treatment guidelines are changing quite reguarly. To learn about what you might expect if hospitalized due to novel coronavirus infection, check out the up-to-dat...
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  • How do I treat the symptoms of someone who is sick at home?

    Kindly visit the CDC's website for information on how to care for someone sick at home. Updated: 16 October 2020
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  • Can I use new drugs or therapeutics to treat COVID-19? Where do I get them?

    Last Updated: 01/15/2022
    COVID-19 Therapeutics Overview The federal government has authorized several therapeutics to support the treatment and prevention of severe COVID-19 outcomes. None of these therapies are a substitu...
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  • Who can get a booster shot or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

    Last Updated: 01/10/2022
    Everyone ages 12 and older should get a booster shot at any vaccination location. Those ages 12 through 17 years old are only eligible for a Pfizer booster. Individuals are eligible to receive a bo...
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  • Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

    Last Updated: 01/06/2022
    COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone 5 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. In addition...
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  • Are COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective? How were they tested and approved?

    Last Updated: 01/05/2022
    COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines since they were authorized for emergency use by FDA. These vaccines have undergone ...
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  • What has the State done to expand vaccine capacity and access?

    Last Updated: 01/04/2022
    Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines are available across New Jersey to everyone 5 years and older. There is currently widespread vaccine availability across New Jersey and the United States. Use the...
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  • What can I expect at my COVID-19 vaccine appointment?

    Last Updated: 12/16/2021
    Before Your Appointment Taking over-the-counter medicine, like ibuprofen, aspirin, antihistamines, or acetaminophen, is NOT recommended before vaccination because it is unknown how these medication...
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  • Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I am undocumented?

    Last Updated: 11/04/2021
    Yes. Everyone 5 years or older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in New Jersey and encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. If you are uninsured, you can still receive a vaccine. The vacc...
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  • Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I already got COVID?

    Last Updated: 10/06/2021
    Yes, you should get a COVID-19 vaccine even if you already had COVID-19 because: Research has not yet shown how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again after you recover from COVID-19. ...
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  • What are monoclonal antibodies? Can they be used for treatment if I test positive for COVID-19?

    Last Updated: 09/28/2021
    Antibodies are proteins that our bodies make to fight viruses, such as the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies made in a laboratory act a lot like natural antibodies to limit the amount of virus...
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  • Are vaccine sites accessible to individuals with disabilities?

    Last Updated: 09/21/2021
    Community-based sites have been designed to meet the needs of all residents in the state. These sites meet ADA accessibility standards, and special arrangements are made for those with mobility and...
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  • How can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m homebound?

    Last Updated: 05/17/2021
    If you are unable to leave the home to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or are the healthcare provider or family caregiver of someone who is homebound, you may request an in-home vaccination appointment ...
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