Saliva Testing Begins at Developmental Centers

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WOODBINE – Saliva testing for COVID-19 began for staff and clients at the state’s Developmental Centers, including the Woodbine facility.
While centers have been “regularly” testing residents presenting symptoms, according to Tom Hester, director of communications, New Jersey Department of Human Services, “What we are implementing now is universal testing regardless of symptoms in partnership with Rutgers. We will continue to test symptomatic residents as needed.”
The newly authorized test, which requires a person to spit into a cup and fill it to the indicated line, could increase by up to 10,000 tests per day the number of screenings for COVID-19, according to Rutgers University, whose medical research team developed the test with Spectrum Solutions and Accurate Diagnostic Labs. The test has a relatively fast turnaround time (24-48 hours) and will be one of the most accurate tests available.
“It means we no longer have to put health care professionals at risk for infection,” said Andrew Brooks, chief operating officer and director of technology development, Rutgers RUCDR Infinite Biologics. “We can preserve precious personal protective equipment for use in patient care instead of testing.”
“We also can significantly increase the number of people tested each and every day, as self-collection of saliva is more quick and scalable than swab collections,” he added.
Hester said a robust testing program is important in helping identify individuals with COVID-19 before symptoms appear.
“Rutgers University’s saliva-based test system is expanding our testing capability, which will, among other things, be used to best cohort residents based on their test results,” Hester noted. “Because the testing of developmental center residents and staff is just now underway, results are not yet complete. We do anticipate, as with all increases in testing, that increases in positive and negative results will occur.”
“The results are being used to help protect residents and staff and direct appropriate medical care,” he added.
As of the May 10 COVID-19 weekly update, the Department of Human Services (DHS) reported that 272 residents and 269 staff had tested positive for COVID-19, and 132 residents and 103 staff had recovered. There were 22 deaths. As of May 3, 380 residents and 389 staff had tested negative. The developmental center population is 1,238 residents and about 4,300 staff statewide. At Woodbine, with a population of 245, 28 residents and 28 staff have tested positive, according to the May 10 report; four staff have recovered and 3 residents have died. As of May 3, 213 residents and 60 staff had tested negative.
In all developmental centers, Hester said the testing builds on the Department’s “focus on prevention and mitigation in our centers.” The centers have restricted visitors, ceased community outings, conducted staff screening, including temperature checks, and reviewed infection control, cleaning, and cohorting procedures.
“The department will continue to take all available actions to support our residents and staff,” Hester said.
Human Services also is closely tracing staff and residents on campus.
“The centers work with local boards of health on community contact tracing as public health officials conduct contact tracing off-campus,” Hester added.
The Cape May County Department of Health has said previously they are conducting contact tracing on all COVID-19 positive individuals.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.