SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that in response to a sharp drop in the demand for COVID-19 testing services at the ten Community-Based Testing Sites, operations will end on March 31. The sites are currently handling less than one percent of the tests being conducted statewide. Given the availability of free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government, the statewide network of federally qualified health centers and the extensive number of SHIELD saliva testing sites throughout Illinois, there are many opportunities for residents to obtain a test. IDPH established the drive-thru Community-Based Testing Sites in April, 2020 when there were far fewer options for residents to get tested. Demand for tests at the Community-Based sites reached a peak of more 1,040 tests per day at each site in November 2020.
To order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government, go to https://www.covidtests.gov.
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