Illinois to open COVID-19 testing sites to all residents

Any Illinois resident can now be tested for COVID-19 at any of the state’s 11 testing sites, regardless of symptoms.

The decision comes due to the growing need to test residents as the state continues its partial reopening, Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said in a statement.

“The state-operated community-based testing sites currently have the capacity to test more than 6,000 people per day, and now there will be no restrictions to who can be tested for this potentially deadly virus,” she said.

Previously, only individuals with symptoms could be tested, as well as essential employees such as healthcare workers and first responders, and individuals with compromised immune systems and chronic medical conditions.

No appointment, doctor referral or insurance is needed at state-operated drive-thru sites. Testing is free for all individuals.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending anyone who took part in any of the mass gatherings, including rallies and protests, over the past week to get tested for COVID-19.

State officials reported 116 more COVID-19 related deaths on Thursday, bringing the state’s total death count to 5,736. An additional 929 total cases were reported, bringing the state’s total to 124,759 in 101 counties.

A total of 22,841 tests were processed, bringing the total number of completed tests to 982,016.

Health News Illinois is removing the password on all stories related to the coronavirus. For the latest developments follow us on Twitter at @healthnewsil or check out our website. For complete healthcare coverage, sign up for a free trial to our daily email newsletter.