Who is most vulnerable to contract COVID-19 and experience complications from the illness:
- Those not vaccinated
- Older adults ages 50’s – 80’s, with those 85 and older most at risk
- Adults with previous medical conditions like cancer, chronic lung diseases, diabetes (type 1 or 2), heart failure, chronic kidney disease, dementia or other neurological conditions, Down syndrome, HIV, liver disease, Sickle cell disease, cerebrovascular disease, overweight and obesity, smoking (current or former), substance use disorders and immunosuppression
- Children and teens with conditions such as medical complexity, genetic, neurologic, metabolic conditions or congenital heart disease, as well as those suffering from diabetes, asthma, obesity, chronic lung disease, Sickle cell disease or immunosuppression
- Pregnant or recently pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions
- Participants, residents and caretakers of Adult Day Services Centers, nursing homes and Long-Term Care Facilities
- Migrants, refugees and other limited-English-proficient populations
- People with physical and developmental disabilities who have underlying chronic medical conditions
- Homeless populations who are older, have underlying medical conditions, and receive services provided in congregate (group) settings
- People living in prisons and jails
- Rural communities, due to higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and obesity, as well as less access to healthcare
How it spreads:
If you are in contact with someone who has the virus and they breathe, cough, sneeze, talk or sing around you, you can get infected by the droplets they’ve secreted which can stay in the air for minutes or hours. You may also get infected by touching something that has the virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, although that is less common.
Signs and symptoms:
- Fever/chills
- Coughing
- Feeling tired
- Difficulty breathing
- Head or body pain
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
Who should get tested:
The following people should get tested for COVID-19:
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19
- People who are fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine should be evaluated by their doctor and tested if indicated
- People without symptoms of COVID-19 such as:
- People not fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine who have had close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 (including a person who does not have symptoms within 10 days of their positive test result)
- People not fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19, such as attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded indoor settings
- People not fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine who are prioritized for expanded community screening for COVID-19
- People not fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine who have been asked or referred to get testing by their school, workplace, doctor, state/tribal/local/territorial health department
Who does not need to get tested:
The following people who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not need to get tested if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms:
- People who are fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine not living in a congregate setting
- For residents in non-healthcare congregate settings (correctional and detention facilities, group homes) and employees of residential congregate settings and high-density workplaces (meat and poultry processing and manufacturing plants), refer to CDC’s recommendations for fully vaccinated people
- People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered, as long as they do not develop new symptoms
Types of testing:
A viral test checks specimens from your nose or mouth to find out if you are currently infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Viral tests can be performed in a laboratory, at a testing site, at home or anywhere else. Two types of viral tests are used: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATS) and antigen tests. Antibody tests show your body has antibodies for COVID-19, meaning your body is not currently fighting the illness, but you have been previously infected.
If you have a positive test result:
- Isolate at home for at least 10 days, even if you do not have symptoms and are vaccinated
- If you develop symptoms, continue to isolate for at least 10 days after symptoms begin
- Most people who are infected will have a mild case and can recover at home without medical care
- If you are severely ill or have a weakened immune system, have a positive result followed by a negative one, or continue to test positive for weeks after the initial test, contact your doctor or local health department to determine how long to isolate
If you have a negative test result:
- If you have symptoms it is possible you had a false negative, so contact your doctor and isolate yourself
- If you do not have symptoms but were exposed to an infected person, you may get sick so it is best to self-quarantine for 14 days after exposure
- People who are fully vaccinated do not need to self-quarantine
Preventative measures:
- Get vaccinated
- Wear a properly fitting mask that covers your nose and mouth
- Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from those who don’t live with you
- Avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces and large crowds
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
- Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available
Who is eligible to get vaccinated:
Children 12 years and older
What the vaccine does:
The COVID-19 vaccine reduces your risk of contracting the virus and experiencing severe complications. It also protects against asymptomatic infections.
Testing and vaccine sites within our area (subject to change so please contact facility to confirm):
Bridgewater
CVS Pharmacy
440 Union Ave.
908-707-1231
www.cvs.com/content/coronavirus
Testing and Vaccine offered
Appointment required
Rite Aid
353 US Highway 202/206
908-722-8123
www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing
Vaccine offered
Appointment required
Wegmans Pharmacy
724 Route 202 South
908-243-9600
www.wegmans.com/pharmacy
Vaccine reserved by appointment or walk in while supplies last
PM Pediatrics Urgent Care
966 Route 22 West
732-605-5437
www.pmpediatriccare.com/find-urgent-care/covid-19-testing/
Testing offered
Appointment required
Green Brook
Medemerge
1005 North Washington Ave.
732-968-8900
www.medemerge.com/
Rapid testing (PCR, Antigen & Antibody) offered
Vaccine offered Tuesdays and Fridays 9am-8pm
Appointment not required
Central Jersey Urgent Care
119 Route 22
732-250-9550
www.cjurgentcaregreenbrook.com/
Testing offered, limited vaccine supply
Appointment required
CVS Pharmacy
137 Route 22 East
732-424-9242
www.cvs.com/content/coronavirus
Testing and Vaccine offered
Appointment required
Sunshine Laboratory, LLC
181 Route 22 East
732-993-7330
www.sunshinelabnj.net/
RT-PCR testing offered
Appointment required
Warren
Walgreens
110 Mountain Blvd. Ext
732-907-6745
www.walgreens.com/
Testing and vaccine offered
Appointment required
Edgewood Pharmacy
62B Mountain Blvd.
908-754-4400
www.mygnp.com/
Vaccine offered
Appointment required
For more information on COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov/ and www.nj.gov/