We’re all thankful for effective vaccines and a slow but steady march back to a normal life. But of necessity, some things will remain with us for the foreseeable future, like reliable and accessible COVID testing. That’s where SwiftTest comes in.
SwiftTest is a concierge testing service that comes to your home, office, school, travel or camp with same-day results. SwiftTest was launched in October 2020 by local Englewood resident Aliza Black.
Black grew up in Englewood and attended Ramaz and Stern College for Women, where she took pre-med courses and developed an enduring passion for the healthcare field. She pursued her physician assistant (PA) degree at Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital and has been a board-certified PA since 2013.
“I created SwiftTest to offer busy parents and other individuals an easy way to get accurate testing with fast results,” said mom-of-four Black. “We’ve all got so much going on these days. I wanted to make getting a COVID test straightforward and simple. I come to you; there’s no complicated appointment system or lines; and results are in your hand in 12 hours.”
Whether or not one is vaccinated, proof needs to be shown of a negative COVID test to be able to travel, go to sleepaway camp, and attend sports events. Even people who have taken the critical step of getting vaccinated are potentially vulnerable to new strains of the virus. Testing remains the most reliable way to prevent the spread of infection and the most effective strategy for getting our world back to normal.
SwiftTest offers a PCR test (the current gold standard for COVID testing), IgM and IgG antibody tests, and a Rapid Antigen test (these results are available within 10 minutes). SwiftTest’s testing kits are validated for anterior mid-nasal collection, which means that the swab is inserted less than one inch into the nostril, resulting in minimal discomfort for anxious patients.
But what really sets SwiftTest apart is that it has built a reputation for meeting clients’ unique needs. “Often we get a late night call from someone who needs a test at 11 p.m. in the lobby of their Manhattan hotel as their travel plans have suddenly changed,” said Black. ‘We jump on it, expedite the swab to the lab by courier, and make sure they have the documents they need to catch their flight the following morning.”
Test results come in the form of a PDF document that doubles as a certificate valid for travel.
Black says one of the most meaningful professional and personal experiences has been testing a group of Holocaust survivors in collaboration with the Jewish Family Services in Essex County. “The survivors were isolated at home all year and couldn’t receive any in person visitors. The loneliness was acutely traumatic for many of them,” she said. “It was incredibly meaningful to know that the testing we provided paved the way for their reentry into society. Their excitement at receiving visitors in the near future was palpable.”
Black has run testing drives for public and private schools throughout the year and is now coordinating group testing for children and teens going to sleepaway camp. Camp Lavi has engaged SwiftTest to run its pre-camp testing program for all campers this summer.
“I look forward to the day COVID testing is no longer necessary but until then, I’m proud to invest in our communal safety by offering this service,” Black said.
Book your SwiftTest today by visiting www.swifttesttoday.com or emailing [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @swifttesttoday.
By Tova Ross
