PEORIA, Ill. — More testing is on the way to the Peoria area.
Public Health Administrator Monica Hendrickson said that Heartland Health Services is a local agency expanding testing in Peoria, as Gov. Pritzker said as well.
The expanded testing announced by Pritzker is to collect more specimens to meet the state’s new capacity. The governor announced that the state will be expanding testing through its statewide network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FHQCs).
Hendrickson said that testing in the community will still be based on symptoms, so tests come back more accurately. With less of a symptom load, false positives or false negatives are more likely according to Hendrickson.
It is unknown at this time how tests will be administered by Heartland Health Services.
Hendrickson says the cost of COVID-19 tests are covered by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Even those uninsured or with short-term health insurance are covered by federal funding under the CARES Act.
The Peoria City/County Health Department announced Thursday one new case of COVID-19 in the Tri-County area.
There are 34 cases in Peoria County, 21 cases in Tazewell County, and 11 cases in Woodford County. There were no new deaths reported, keeping the total at four according to Health Administrator Monica Hendrickson.
The new case announced Thursday was in Peoria County. The new case brings the total across the Tri-County area to 66.
19 ICU beds are in use in Peoria hospitals for those with COVID-19 or under investigation.
Of the 34 cases in Peoria County; 13 have recovered, 16 are in home isolation, four are currently hospitalized and there has been one death.
City of Peoria Fire Chief Tony Ardis said at Thursday’s briefing that Protocol 36 has been introduced to protect first responders.
A series of questions is asked of the caller by the dispatcher, and the dispatcher then decides whether or not the call is likely COVID-19 related.
