While Illinois has continued moving through Phase 4 of its recovery plan, we should be wary in taking our foot off the gas of caution. As more restaurants, bars, and businesses open up in the coming weeks throughout the state, we should be careful not to get careless and fall backward like other states around the country. To aid in being aware and responsible for ourselves and to others, we’ve gathered a list of places where you can get tested for the Coronavirus in Chicago.
Requirements to receive a Coronavirus test vary depending on each location. However, there is no doubt that knowing your status of health can be crucial in protecting yourself and others, especially given that a majority of people with the coronavirus are asymptomatic. For your convenience, we’ll break it down by category for these testing sites.
How to Get Tested For Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Open to All Regardless of Symptoms, No Appointment Required:
SMG Chatham
210 W 87th St, Chicago, IL 60620
Open from 8 am to 4 pm, all week. Get here as early as possible because COVID-19 testing is only available while daily supplies last.
IDPH Harwood Heights Drive-Through
6959 W Forest Preserve Dr, Chicago, IL 60634
With the same ‘while supplies last’ caveat, this testing site is open from 7 am to 3 pm. Open all week.
Open to All Regardless of Symptoms, Appointment Required:
Clear Wellness Group
1605 South Michigan Avenue, Unit 1, Chicago, IL 60616
Open 8:30 am to 5 pm every day besides Sundays, this location has same-day appointments available. For their COVID hotline, call 312-535-5770.
Loop Medical Center Streeterville
432 E Grand Ave Suite C, Chicago, IL 60611
Closed on Sundays, this Coronavirus testing location is open 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am to noon on Saturdays. Appointments can be made online.
One Medical Fulton Market
218 N Elizabeth St, Chicago, IL 60607
Though open 24 hours, testing occurs by appointment only Monday through Friday. Call 1-888-ONE-MED1 to make an appointment.
UI Health Pilsen COVID Evaluation Clinic
1713 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
With an appointment, patients can get tested Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. New or established UI Health patients are welcome.
Screening or Referral Required Before Appointment, Appointment Required:
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
259 E Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Testing here requires an order from a Northwestern Medicine physician. The order can be obtained by calling their COVID hotline at 312-47C-OVID. They’re open all week from 9 am to 3 pm.
Physicians Immediate Care – West Loop
600 W Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661
A curbside exam will deem if testing is appropriate for patients. Open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm but note that capacity might be limited.
Michigan Avenue Primary Care
181 N Michigan Avenue Suite 1720, Chicago, IL 60601
Prior to an appointment, a provider will see patients via video consultation to determine if it’s appropriate for a test to happen. Open from 8 am to 6 pm from Monday through Friday and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.
The Illinois Department of Health website has a more in-depth map of locations for those not near to the ones provided above. For as much as we want you all to enjoy this summer in Chicago, we also urge you to be safe and cautious so as not to put yourself or others at risk!
UPDATE 11/16 —
As the state of Illinois finds itself amidst a second wave of COVID-19, they are urging non-essential workers and private businesses to work from home if possible to mitigate unnecessary risk and half the spread of the virus. It’s important to note that this is just a suggestion from the state and not a mandatory stay-at-home order as it was in the spring, despite the fact that the state has skyrocketed beyond the numbers it had last spring.
This becomes even more important as the holiday season approaches and Illinoisans begin making their plans to see their families if they even are able to. Small things like working from home could be the difference between a smooth holiday season or wishing a loved one a Happy Thanksgiving from the other side of a FaceTime call. In addition, the holiday season comes with colder weather, too, and officials worry that the winter could exacerbate the latest outbreak and create a spiral of bad fortune with health care workers in limited supply unable care for all people infected.
Increased testing facilities in the city have become paramount to Chicago’s ability to combat the virus. The Illinois Department of Public Health has listed all available testing facilities on its website. As the holiday season inches closer families remain concerned about being able to see loved ones, and getting tested before and after Thanksgiving is strongly urged.
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