Getting tested

As a second wave of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations surge people of all ages are seeking testing, and its resulting in a flood of phone calls and misuse of hospital emergency rooms.
More than 9.35 million COVID-19 tests had been administered in the state of Illinois as of Wednesday, over 103,500 of those occurred in the previous 24 hours, and as the virus resurges more and more Illinoians are searching for testing sites.
As reported by the Grundy County Health Department, testing is available through local hospital systems, as well as sites staffed by the Illinois Department of Public Health [IDPH]. A number of medical clinics and even some pharmacies offer COVID testing.
Protocols at each location are subject to change based on available resources, and the availability of results differ from site to site.
Medical professionals are seeing many asymptomatic people turning to their local hospital emergency department with the hope of seeking quick testing, and they want to remind people emergency rooms should be reserved for medical emergencies.
A simple internet search of COVID-19 testing sites yields multiple returns, but before heading out to get tested individuals should understand the protocols at the various locations—typically outlined on-line.
Locally testing locations include:
• Morris Hospital outpatient drive-thru testing is available by appointment only Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 150 W. High St., Morris [corner of Lisbon and High streets]. A physician order is required and a scheduling representative from the hospital will call once the order is received from the physician. Results are typically available in 3-6 days.
• Morris Hospital Diamond-Coal City Campus Convenient Care, 1450 E. Division St., Diamond. Walk-in testing is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Requires an exam with a convenient care provider who determines if testing is appropriate based on patient’s medical history and symptoms. An exam with a provider does not guarantee a COVID test will be done. Results for those tested are typically available in 3-6 days.
• Riverside Medical Center Coal City Campus, 5775 E. Route 113, Coal City, offers testing Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Testing must be scheduled, walk-ins are not accepted, and a physicians order is required. COVID testing must be scheduled on-line at riversidehealthcare.org/covidtesting. There are two ways to schedule testing including through the MyChart account for current patients and for those who are not a MyChart user, open scheduling is available. The scheduling links are available on the website. Those arriving for testing will e-check in and remain in their vehicle until called in for their scheduled test. A mask and identification is required.
• Will County — The Will County Health Department hosts free walk-in clinics throughout the week at two county locations.
All locations will test from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Lewis University will have testing each Tuesday and Thursday except holidays at 1 University Dr., Romeoville (at the Fieldhouse in the back). This location is walk-in, first-come-first-served.
Walk-in testing is also available at Governor’s State University Grants Office, 1 University Parkway, University Park, each Wednesday except holidays.
The Will County Community Health Center is providing COVID-19 testing to anyone who wants to be tested. The health center will not collect any money at the location. If you have insurance, a small administrative fee may be billed directly o your insurance by the Illinois Department of Public Health to cover the cost of processing the sample at the laboratory.
Will County also hosts testing by appointment in Romeoville and Joliet.
Site information can be found online at www.willcountyhealth.org.
• IDPH has testing sites open every day for everyone regardless of symptoms, and sites closest to our reading area including Aurora and Bloomington.
The Aurora location, 2450 N. Farnsworth Ave., is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while daily supplies last. Located at 1106 Interstate Dr., the Bloomington site is open daily while supplies last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The state agency also sponsors mobile testing sites and testing will be conducted this week in Joliet and Minooka. Again, testing is available to anyone regardless of symptoms while supplies last.
IDPH staff will be at Minooka Community High School Central Campus, 301 S. Wabena Ave., Minooka from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21. Testing will also be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18-Sunday, Nov. 21 at the Joliet Park District, 3000 W. Jefferson St.
Additional testing locations can be found by visiting the IDPH website at dph.illinois.gov/testing.
Additionally, CVS Minute Clinics report providing lab and rapid testing at select locations to eligible individuals. Testing must be scheduled at cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing. When signing up for testing individuals will be asked a few questions to determine if they qualify for testing. Qualified individuals will select a test site and available time and will be asked to complete a registration form. Insurance card, proof of identity and test confirmation is required. Upon arrival at the testing site, individuals should follow the posted instructions. Rapid test results are delivered the same day and lab results are typically provided within 3-4 days.