Free Rapid PCR COVID Test Location Near You – NBC Chicago

In Illinois, COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to grow, and the state currently has an average of over 6,000 new potential and confirmed cases of COVID-19 per day.

It’s been more than three months since Illinois has had such a high daily rate.

Fortunately, COVID testing in Chicago and Illinois remains free on many sites. And the federal government is now offering double the number of free COVID rapid antigen tests to residents during the availability of the latest kits. Updated by the United States Postal Service..

If you are symptomatic or suspected of being exposed, you can find free COVID tests for adults and children here in Chicago and Illinois.

COVID testing at Walgreens, CVS and other pharmacies

Walgreens, CVS, and local pharmacies throughout the state offer reservations for both rapid antigen testing and lab PCR testing. Drive-through and face-to-face reservations are possible.

COVID results for rapid testing take approximately 15 minutes, and PCR results are typically delivered within 48 hours.

COVID rapid test at home

You can sign up for eight free rapid antigen tests from the federal government and deliver them to your home via the United States Postal Service. Previously, only 4 free kits were available per person. Here’s how to get yours..

COVID testing at community health centers and other sites

• Community Health Center: You can search for community health centers near the entire state that offer COVID test appointments Here
• Chicago City Community Test: The city offers several community test clinics in different areas. Where to find them here and when they are open
• Other test sites throughout the state: This is the map Details of other COVID inspection sites in Illinois. Details are given for each.

Other ways to test

Contact your healthcare provider or doctor to get a COVID test. Your healthcare provider may need to make an appointment to order the test on your behalf.

Your healthcare provider will also record your test results in your medical record or provide your employer with the necessary documentation.

COVID test for children

• Walgreens: According to the Walgreens website, children over the age of 3 have a free COVID drive-through test. This is How to book at your local Walgreens
• Quest Diagnosis: According to the website, Quest Diagnostics offers COVID tests for children over the age of 2 regardless of symptoms. make a reservation With a quest diagnosis near you
• Pediatrician: Contact your pediatrician’s clinic to make an appointment for your child to be examined.If you don’t have a pediatrician, go to Shikago Public School Checked the list of places to offer COVID-19 tests for children In the Chicago area.

What to do if you test positive using a home test

Those who test positive using a home test are required to follow the latest CDC guidelines and communicate the results to the health care provider responsible for reporting the test results to the state health department.

According to the Chicago Regional Health Department, people assume that test results are accurate and need to be isolated from others to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

“If you test positive for COVID-19, you need to quarantine,” Arwady said. “You don’t have to repeat a positive home test in the medical setting. You don’t want anyone to go to the emergency department just to get the test. Treat the positive as positive and stay at home for 5 days.”

How long can I be positive after being infected with COVID?

According to the CDC, the incubation period for COVID is 2 to 14 days, but the latest guidance from the authorities suggests a 5-day quarantine for unboosted but qualified or unvaccinated individuals. .. For those who wish to be tested after exposure, the CDC recommends that they be tested 5 days after exposure or if symptoms begin to appear.

Those who have been boosted and vaccinated, or who have been fully vaccinated and are not yet eligible for booster shots, do not need to be quarantined, but unless there are symptoms, wear a mask for 10 days and 5 after exposure. You also need to take the test for the day.

Still, for those who have been vaccinated and boosted, but still want to be cautious, Arwady said an additional test at 7 days might help.

“If you’re taking multiple tests at home, it’s a good idea to take the test after 5 days. But if you take it once every 5 times and it’s negative and you feel good, you’re there. Shouldn’t be a problem anymore. ” “If you’re paying particular attention to it, and if you want to test it again, you might see three at 7 o’clock and get a faster feeling. But if you’re going to do it once, do it once. . At 5, I feel good about it. “

Arwady said testing is likely not needed 7 days after exposure to vaccinated and boosted individuals.

“If you are exposed, you will be vaccinated and boosted. Frankly, I don’t think you need to be tested for the last seven days,” she said. “If you want to be especially careful, you can do it at 10 o’clock, but just what we see, I think you really clearly. If you are not vaccinated or boosted, I’m certainly much more concerned, definitely, ideally I’m looking for that test at 5 o’clock and test again at 7 o’clock and possibly 10 o’clock. “