CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Austin community and the West Side of Chicago have been hard hit by the number of positive cases and deaths related to COVID-19. Now, a new COVID-19 testing site is available for residents on city's West Side.
The Loretto Hospital, in conjunction with state representatives LaShawn K. Ford and Camille Y. Lilly, announced Monday that it has opened the first community-focused, no cost COVID-19 testing site on the West Side of Chicago.
The Loretto Hospital testing site is open to the public, as well as to healthcare workers and first responders. Anyone can be tested regardless of symptoms, exposure or medical history. The site provides rapid, nasopharangeal testing with results to be released to the patient within 72 hours. Both drive-up and walk-in testing options are available. The site is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The COVID storm brought uncertainty, fear and a 180 degree change in the life that we once knew. By becoming a testing site, we will be able to better partner with the community that we love and respect to bring answers and certainty into people’s lives. Regardless if you have symptoms or you were exposed to a COVID positive patient, we will help you get answers and have a plan of care going forward,” said Dr. Mira Illiescu-Levine, Chief Medical Officer of The Loretto Hospital, in a statement.