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Bergen New Bridge Medical Center has expanded its variant testing this week to include 22 relevant COVID-19 mutations (variants). The hospitals’ laboratory started using a custom-built analysis panel within the Applied Biosystems TaqMan SARS-CoV-2 test in its in-house lab that allows the hospital to adapt subsequent testing quickly as additional mutations and variants emerge. According to a recent news reports, one in four cases in New Jersey are currently linked to known COVID-19 mutations (variants). “Within two hours, we can discern which variant infected a patient and determine an appropriate course of action for care,” said Bergen New Bridge Medical Center President and CEO, Deborah Visconi.” She added, “Our lab can process over 2,000 samples per day and this is critical because with such a high rate of the virus within our communities, it is important for everyone to get tested and to do so frequently so we can identify trends in infections and improve our ability to beat back the virus and emerge from this pandemic.” For more information regarding COVID-19 testing, please visit newbridgehealth.org.