COVID-19 Testing

Middlesex County’s Department of Public Safety & Health and Office of Health Services offer COVID-19 testing for Middlesex County residents. All COVID-19 testing performed at the Middlesex County Health Services sites are free for Middlesex County residents, but require an appointment.

Testing days and locations vary on a weekly basis.  The table below shows the locations and upcoming dates of the free testing being offered, as well as the day that registration begins for a testing appointment:

Those wishing to be tested will be required to make an appointment and meet a set of criteria.  

An appointment can be made beginning at 10 am the day indicated on the table above. Residents wishing to make an appointment should visit Middlesexcountynj.gov/COVID19testing to register and receive a time to report to the testing site.

If the resident wishing to be tested does not have access to the internet or has connectivity problems, they are instructed to call 732-745-3100 to make an appointment (beginning at 10 am). Appointments will start being made on the day indicated on the table above, and continue until appointment slots fill up, or 48 hours prior to the test date.  PLEASE NOTE: The Middlesex County COVID-19 Call Center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Due to the designated number of tests available each day, reservations are not rebooked for cancellations or no shows. Do not reserve an appointment unless you are planning to attend the testing clinic.

For a complete listing of COVID-19 and Antibody testing sites in Middesex County, click here or on the link below.  (Please note that some testing sites may charge a service fee.)

CRITERIA FOR TESTING

To receive testing, you must:

• Be a Middlesex County resident at least 18 years old (proof of residency is required - including, but not limited to: a valid driver’s license; state issued identification; or two pieces of mail including utility bills, bank statements, or similar documentation with name and address) 
• Make an appointment online or via phone

Middlesex County residents that have symptoms of COVID-19​ or believe they have come in contact with someone with COVID-19, should visit  Middlesexcountynj.gov/COVID19testing to register and receive a time to report to the testing site. Beginning on Wednesday, May 20th, Middlesex County will also offer testing to asymptomatic (meaning those not showing symptoms of COVID-19) individuals.   Registrants must bring their appointment confirmation and proof of residency including, but not limited to: a valid driver’s license; state issued identification; or two pieces of mail including utility bills, bank statements, or similar documentation with name and address, to the testing site.

If the person is not a Middlesex County resident or does not have a scheduled appointment, they will not receive testing.

SALIVA TESTS

The County, along with Rutgers University and South Plainfield-based Accurate Diagnostic Labs, has made the new saliva-based test kits available to residents.   Unlike the nasal swab, this new test is less invasive, as a resident will only have to spit into a saliva collection device and fill it up to the indicated line.  Instructions will be given at the test site, but residents can click the following file to familiarize themselves with the process beforehand.

Instructions for Saliva Collection​  -  English   Spanish

It is important to know, however, in order for the test to be accurate, you MUST NOT eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for 30 MINUTES prior to giving your saliva sample. If you do not comply, you will be required to leave the site and make another appointment on another day. ​

AFTER THE TEST

Collected specimens are sent to one of the approved laboratories, and results get reported back to the Office of Health Services.  For the Middlesex County Saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic tests, results are *usually* provided within 3-5 business days.   The Office of Health Services will then contact you​ by phone with a positive or negative result. ​ The phone call will likely come from a 732-745-XXXX number.   Test results can not be left on voicemail, so you must answer the phone when called and/or promptly return calls to the Office of Health Services after being tested.  To learn more about what to do once you get your results, visit our "Understanding your COVID-19 Test Results"​ page.